Football chaplain gives an inside look on faith with the Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s storied football program boasts of 11 national championships, seven Heismans, and the greatest university fight song—along with vibrant Catholic spirituality.
Father Nathan Wills, C.S.C., has served as the chaplain of Notre Dame’s football team for eight years. His new book, Pray Like a Champion Today, gives Irish fans an inside view of the football program from a new perspective: faith in the football team. The Rover sat down for an interview with Fr. Wills, who shared more about the book and his hope that it will inspire people “to see Christ in their life … and be surprised by God’s presence.”
Catholic faith traditions carry a historic presence on the Fighting Irish football team, including pregame Mass, saint medallions, and consistent prayer. Although only around half of the team professes a Catholic faith, according to Wills, the entire team attends Holy Mass before every game. Fr. Wills noted that the pregame Mass isn’t about football, nor are his homilies meant to fire up the team for a win. His focus, he says, is to “just preach the Gospel, give them hope and inspiration.”
In addition to Holy Mass, Fr. Wills also leads the team in an Our Father and an “Our Lady of Victory, pray for us!” chant immediately before the players take the field.
Fr. Wills’ ministry also includes a 102-years-long tradition of giving saint medallions to the athletes each game—a different one each week. The tradition began when Father John O’Hara, C.S.C. distributed St. Joan of Arc medallions to the football team before their 1923 victory over Army. Fr. Wills noted that the medals are a simple way for players and even officials to encounter Christ through holy role models. He said, “There’s something really special about [Notre Dame], and people often encounter unexpected inspirations of faith on campus. Why wouldn’t that happen on the football field?”
Much of Notre Dame’s uniqueness as a football program, Fr. Wills noted, comes from its emphasis on faith. “Let’s face it, there are schools that are willing to back up a truck of money to some of these kids, and they have to decide, ‘What do I care about? What’s really important to me?’ And I think a lot of [athletes] come to Notre Dame saying, ‘I want to grow in my faith.’”
Fr. Wills pointed to examples of the team’s faith in their weekly bible study, a longstanding team tradition led by Riley Leonard last year, bringing in 40 players every week. Fr. Wills commented, “Look at last year. Riley Leonard, who is so deeply faith filled … every chance he got, he talked about Christ to the media, and I think that was really moving to a lot of people.”
Emery Minnich, a sophomore student manager of the football team, echoed Wills’ message: “Notre Dame football is deeply rooted in faith—from prayers before and after every practice to weekly team Mass with Fr. Nate. The team is bound together not only by the love of the game, but also by love of God.”
Many more stories of encounters with God through Notre Dame football can be found in Fr. Wills’ book, Pray Like a Champion Today: Sacred Stories from the Sidelines of Notre Dame Football. The book is available from Ave Maria Press at a sale price of $18.42, a reference to Notre Dame’s founding year.
Caleb Vaughan is a junior out of Orono, MN. Fr. Wills chose St. Mary Magdalene as the holy medallion against A&M; fitting, as the Irish were also nearly stoned to death on Saturday. You can reach Caleb at cvaugha2@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Pray Like a Champion Today, Ave Maria Press
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