Who Do You Play For?

When it comes to magical runs, some of the teams are obvious: Jimmy V and the 1983 Wolfpack, the 2004 “Cowboy Up” Red Sox, and of course the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Though these unforgettable teams played different sports, they all had that “it” factor in common. You know, that thing in teamsports you can’t define, but you just know it when you see it. That competitive edge, that swagger, that sense of belief, that shared identity that makes a group of ordinary men giant killers.

Another thing is clear about the “it” factor.You can’t manufacture or force it. The “It” factor is like the mustard seed in the Gospel. It grows little by little as it is watered by suffering and perseverance. We all know that a team either rises or crumbles when it faces adversity. The same is true in life. Suffering and hardships either destroy us or form us into men of God.

The Saints that protect and represent League Morning Star understood this very well. These men were much like you and me. They too struggled, suffered, and doubted the goodness of God. And yet, through perseverance and most importantly the power of God’s grace, they became men that stood in the breach and led culture changing initiatives. Their lives demonstrate the victory of God in every age and that holiness is possible for ordinary men. Take a look at the descriptions below. Afterall, you need to answer Herb Brooks’ perennial question, “Who do you play for?”

Saint Dominic, who lived from 1170 to 1221 was the founder of the Dominican Order. God gave saint Dominic a particular grace to create a community of preachers in order to correct a very serious heresy, or false belief, that was infecting the Church. Toward the latter half of the 12th century, this heresy, known as Albagensism, was becoming so popular that many people were abandoning the Catholic faith. Dominic understood that one cannot love what he does not know. In other words, we need to know the truths of the faith in order to embrace them with our whole mind and heart. Though the errors today regarding the life of Jesus are not as deadly as Albagensism, the same principle applies. Many people, especially young intelligent people, leave the Catholic faith because they never were taught its saving truths. Many people falsely believe that faith is irrational. For this reason, Dominic created an order of preachers committed to the study and teaching of the true Catholic faith. Dominic, and his fellow Dominican brothers, taught that faith and reason complement one another. Saint Dominic’s friars still have this charism today. Dominican Friars are incredibly learned men and women completely committed to the instruction of the Catholic faith. Interestingly, a big way that Dominic corrected the errors of Albagenism was through the promotion of the Holy Rosary. This may seem strange considering the error had to do with Jesus and not Mary. Let this be a lesson that we come to Jesus through Mary. In fact, Saint Dominic received the Rosary as we know it today, from the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He, like all the patrons of League Morning Star, had a particular devotion to the Rosary and to Mary. May we follow his example and develop a love for the Rosary as well. The Rosary is our lifeline to heaven. Saint Dominic, pray for us!