Inigo Hicks: The Missionary and the Olympian

Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Missionary and the Olympian

David Rudisha

When Kenyan David Rudisha won the gold medal for the 800 meter run at the 2012 London Olympics, he led from wire to wire in a world record setting display of speed which established Rudisha as perhaps the greatest 800 meter runner of all time. From the time he first took up running in his teens, Rudisha has had only one coach: an Irish missionary brother named Colm O'Connell. Rudisha and O'Connell's remarkable story is told in the BBC documentary above called "100 Seconds to Beat the World."

Ever since St. Paul, the Church has proposed athletes as models to those seeking to advance in the spiritual life. From Rudisha's story, it's easy to see why.

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Servant of God John Hardon, SJ Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Father John Hardon Almighty God, You gave Your servant, Father John Anthony Hardon of the Society of Jesus, the grace of religious and priestly consecration after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through Father Hardon, You provided for your Flock an extraordinary teacher of the faith. You entrusted Father Hardon into the loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose counsel, "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5) he faithfully followed and whose intercession he unceasingly invoked. If it be Your holy will, please grant the request I now make, calling upon the help of Father Hardon,so that his heroic sanctity may be recognized in the whole Church. I ask this through Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with You and the Holy Spirit, is one God forever and ever.