Since their resumption in modern times, under the guidance of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic Games have included a significant spiritual dimension. “For a long time now, there has been a spiritual presence at the heart of the Olympic Games, as this is a request from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is precisely the one who calls for an interfaith space in the Olympic Village,” François Morinière of “Holy Games” explained.
About thirty Catholic chaplains were chosen by the Catholic Church in France to be present at specific time slots, depending on their availability (with hours of service from 7 am to 11 pm). They are priests, men and women religious and lay people, all united by two things: love for sport and the experience of spiritual guidance. Among them is Fr Xavier Ernst, Salesian of Don Bosco, parish priest of St John Bosco parish, in the 20th arrondissement of Paris and Delegate for Youth Ministry in the St Francis de Sales Province of France and Southern Belgium (FRB).
"Our service is to be present. Athletes know that in the Olympic Village there is this space, a place for listening, sharing and relationship. Our environment is furnished with icons, symbolic furnishings and the Bible" Fr Ernst explains. "Every morning there will be a moment of Lectio Divina, of reading and sharing the Gospel, a moment that will be ecumenical. And every day we will celebrate the Eucharist, not in the multi-religious centre, but in the church next to the village."
"Will we have 1 visitor per day, 10, 50 or 100? Obviously we don't know! But the important thing is not the number, it is our being at the service of the athletes," the Salesian says.
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (26 July-11 August 2024), the Salesian Family will be active in offering its spiritual service to the many athletes, coaches, members of delegations and fans who will crowd Paris for the occasion. For example, in the church of Saint-Sulpice, for a week, from Thursday 25 July to Friday 2 August, the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) over 17 section will propose a series of activities and animations – reception, games, listening, times for prayer... in addition to two highlights entrusted to it by the organising committee: the ecumenical prayer vigil on Tuesday 30 July, with Mark Gangloff, two-time Olympic swimming champion, and the Mass on 31 July, chaired by Monsignor Emmanuel Gobillard, Delegate of the Church for the Olympics in Paris.
Source : Don Bosco Aujourd'hui
