From Brookland to the World Series
By Renee Rasmussen
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, a theology professor at Catholic University, is accompanied the Washington Nationals to the World Series in his role as its official Catholic chaplin. Rossetti works to bring God to all the members of the baseball teams.
“When there is a Sunday home game I say Mass for the team and those on staff who wish to go,”Rossetti said. “I have baptised babies, I’ve prepared people for marriage and do all those kinds of priestly duties.”
More than that, Rossetti works to be a supportive presence to all the players on the team. During home games he visits the locker room to get to know the players, as well as their wives and children if he can.
“The idea of just being there, is meant to be a symbol. The symbol that God is with us, and loves and cares for us,” Rossetti commented.
Rossetti has been chaplain for ten years and commented that receiving the job was just a matter of being “in the right place at the right time” after the previous chaplain told him he needed a replacement.
Overall Rossetti works to combine faith and competition. While baseball can be a very superstitious sport, Rossetti explained the depth of what occurs in the minds of the players on and off the field.
“Many of them are very religious,” said Rossetti. “You can sort of tell by their behavior on the field. I think it’s more than simply pointing to the sky or when they bless themselves. I think it’s more than simply just a superstitious ritual. I think they really do believe in God of course and asking for God’s help.”
Rossetti also commented on how the players appreciate his presence, even if they are not Catholic. Before one game of the World Series a player came up to Rossetti in the locker room and said, “Father, thanks for coming. I appreciate you being here.” When he steps in the locker room, Rossetti brings the presence of God, and he is always praying for his team.
One focus Rossetti has is on injuries. Although baseball is not a contact sport, it is still very physically demanding and injuries are inevitable.
“One of my big prayers at the beginning of every game is that God will keep them safe,” Rossetti said. “When guys are injured many of them really do appreciate a blessing and a prayer for healing. They appreciate me being with them and praying with them and praying for God’s healing.”
The players understand his blessings or prayers aren’t a guarantee for a win.
“We always ask God for what we want,” said Rossetti, “which is a good thing, but we also need to learn to accept what God wants from it. Maybe what we want is not what we need. God knows what we need. When we pray together, we know that God’s with us whether we win or lose.”
