Every era presents new challenges, new opportunities and new words! For example, we emerged from COVID with hard truths, lessons learned and a vocabulary that still lingers. Buzz words like amplify, pivot, leverage and optimize became daily directives a la Zoom. We learned what it means to "hold space" for people and we did. We still do. And early events of 2025 asked me to do something similar yet different: hold both.
In the early hours of New Year's Day 2025, Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck at a high speed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans LA. Fifteen people died in the process, including Jabbar, who was 42 years old. The loss of life, the injury, damage is utterly tragic. Deemed an "act of terrorism," this put local, state and federal authorities on alert and in action. Necessary decisions were made to keep the public safe and "out of harms way." That term is not COVID jargon. It prompted a prudent, solvent course of action: to postpone the Sugar Bowl. The College Football quarterfinal playoff game was scheduled for the following day
Twenty hours later, following an extended moment of silence in the pregame ceremonies, the contest between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame began. The Fightin' Irish, with a season record of 11-1 and ranked #7 prevailed over the #2 team— winning the game 23-10. As my friend and classmate Alex Montoya '96 wrote, "It has been a year of exorcising ghosts, from the specter of the NIU loss to winning our first major bowl game since 1994. There is one more left, of course: winning the national championship in football for the first time since 1988." Victory tasted bittersweet. Here's why...
I would like to be so bold as to proclaim that as Catholics, to hold both is part of our tradition. I say this because it is evidenced through Catholic ritual and tradition. It characterizes the sentiments and even the structure of them. For example, when a loved one dies we gather as a community of faith for the Rite of Christian Burial. This includes a Requiem Mass as well as the Rite of Committal. A dear friend, recently shared "The Work of Christmas: Choir Edition," a reflection on this tradition whether its for 100 people or one other person. Difficult, yet important and... beautiful.
Today, many people opt for just the celebration of life, but the exercise of walking down the aisle and publicly grieving is an important process. It is a path we all must take, a walk that is unique to no one. We can't make it alone. To ritualize it makes it possible.
You need not be Irish to know that what follows a funeral isn't just the burial. Loved ones, family and friends gather for food and fellowship. For Catholics, much more than a "fifth" of whiskey or a box of Franzia is in store. We share stories and post pictures. We celebrate. We remember. We hold both. Though many young Catholics are opting to marry outside of the Church, I find there is a wisdom to the ritual and rite of Holy Matrimony. The ceremony in the Church speaks to the solemn, sacred and sacramental nature of this decision and commitment. It is not without cost. It is a significant day in the life of two people, their family and friends. The formality of the church service—the profession of nuptial vows are to be heard and supported by many more than just two people. We can and should pray for one another—for the two who have become one and their future. Following this service, the bride and groom, the wedding party and all those in attendance partake in a ritualized celebration. Some cultures, other traditions make the most of the reception—as they should! We hold both.
Before the game, the chaplain of the Notre Dame football team, Father Nate Wills, C.S.C. gives to a player a medal of a Catholic saint. He offers a reflection on the significance of this holy person's life and what their example might offer for each athlete on game day. The day after the Irish victory, Father Nate shared with Irish faithful a little bit about the game day saint and that we can continue to pray to St. Sebastian for all athletes and the people of New Orleans.
Holding today’s medal is a player who had an incredible play at ND’s 23-10 Quarterfinal CFP victory over Georgia. Jayden Harrison is a graduate transfer from Marshall and ran back the 2nd half kickoff for a 98 yard touchdown!
An elite soldier, courageous martyr, and faithful Christian, St. Sebastian is among the most beloved saints in the history of the Church. Born in the late 3rd century, he was a soldier in the Roman army who became a Christian.
Sebastian secretly aided fellow Christians, providing them with support and encouragement during Emperor Diocletian’s brutal persecution of Christians. He was eventually discovered, arrested, and executed with a barrage of arrows. Miraculously, he survived and was nursed back to health by a fellow Christian, St. Irene.
After he recovered, Sebastian neither cowered in fear nor abandoned his faith. Instead, he boldly confronted Emperor Diocletian, urging him to stop persecuting Christians. This act of courage ultimately led to his second arrest and execution, where he was beaten to death with clubs around the year 286 AD.
St. Sebastian’s legacy is one of resilience and unwavering faith in the face of adversity. He is depicted on this holy medal as a young man tied to a tree and pierced by arrows. He is the patron saint of athletes and soldiers.
May St. Sebastian’s resiliency and faith inspire the people of New Orleans who are still enduring the aftermath of the Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s. May the Lord bring the victims into his loving arms, comfort their family and friends, protect our police officers and soldiers, and bring peace to our hurting world.
We hold both: sports and spirituality. Through sports and spirituality, we learn that an athlete held a medal who honors the patron saint of athletes—knowing that one hand is heavy and the other is not. One is solemn. One is celebratory. This same medal is used to remind us to pray for the protection of the people of New Orleans as well as the players on the field. Don't pivot. No need to leverage one hand at the expense of the other. We have created space. We hold both.
Photo Credits
Medals
Tears
Kneeling
Signage
