Sports Can Have Spiritual Benefits
Pope Benedict during his Wednesday audience says that sports can be "an educational instrument and a vehicle for important human and spiritual values."
The Holy Father receiving a soccer ball from children.
Children visiting the Pope, playing soccer in St. Peter's square.
Pope John Paul II dribbling a soccer ball on the cover of The Catholic Ideal: Exercise and Sports. John Paul II played soccer as a goalie during his youth.
Update:
In an article by Robert Feeney, he cites: "St. Thomas’s position on physical exercise helps us to see the potential intellectual gains from it. Contemporary studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve a person’s intellectual capacity. The theory is that exercise increases the blood supply into the brain. This increase of blood into the brain causes the brain to receive more oxygen. The increase of oxygen in the brain helps people think clearer, the duration of concentration increases as well as the depth of thinking. The research shows that these benefits for the mind definitely help us in prayer and meditation. Aquinas’s teaching on psychosomatic unity helps us to see the wisdom of Holy Mother Church in her appreciation for the value of physical exercise."
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the incorruptible Dominican blessed was called the "model for athletes" by Pope John Paul II.
The Holy Father receiving a soccer ball from children.
Children visiting the Pope, playing soccer in St. Peter's square.
Pope John Paul II dribbling a soccer ball on the cover of The Catholic Ideal: Exercise and Sports. John Paul II played soccer as a goalie during his youth.
Update:
In an article by Robert Feeney, he cites: "St. Thomas’s position on physical exercise helps us to see the potential intellectual gains from it. Contemporary studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve a person’s intellectual capacity. The theory is that exercise increases the blood supply into the brain. This increase of blood into the brain causes the brain to receive more oxygen. The increase of oxygen in the brain helps people think clearer, the duration of concentration increases as well as the depth of thinking. The research shows that these benefits for the mind definitely help us in prayer and meditation. Aquinas’s teaching on psychosomatic unity helps us to see the wisdom of Holy Mother Church in her appreciation for the value of physical exercise."
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the incorruptible Dominican blessed was called the "model for athletes" by Pope John Paul II.
2 Comments:
I love the photos!
It's interesting how excersise has so many benefits
Carmel, I have to say that even I don't exercise as I should so this post has taught me God's gift of physical activity and find His Presence in the simple things such as walking. Also the wisdom of how the body is created tells us of God's gift of the body!
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