Friday, 18 February 2011
Gratia ad robur: the example of Manny Pacquiao
Filipino boxer, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, generally known as "Manny" (or "Pacman") has fought at various weights in a glittering career and is regarded as the number one "pound for pound" boxer. Coming from a background of extreme poverty, he left home at 14 and lived on the streets of Manila. Married with four children, he was elected last May to the Filipino House of Representatives, representing the province of Sarangani. He is also a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major.
Manny attributes his sporting success to the grace of God. When he returns to the Philippines after winning a fight abroad, he attends Mass in thanksgiving Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. (I wonder if he could be persuaded to contribute to the building of a minor Basilica in Blackfen?)
Manny has generously supported charitable projects, especially providing for the education of poor people in his native Mindanao. While on the road, he makes sure of getting to Sunday Mass. On the rare occasions that he loses a fight, he recognises the will of God and accepts defeat graciously. He is not ashamed to witness to the faith on his official website: see, for example his devotional post in advance of Christmas last year.
He is fighting Shane Mosley on 7 May at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, to retain the WBO Welterweight World Title.
H/T @lukecoppen and CNN Belief: The prayerful pugilist
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6 comments:
I'm always torn between two opinions whenever I see a sports personality openly witnessing. Especially when its tied to their success.
On the one hand it is an amazing witness which can be guarenteed to reach a large number of people. If done humbly and sincerily (as it appears to be here) then it is very powerful. Another example of this would have been Greg Jennings after the Superbowl.
On the other I worry that people will be tempted to view it superficially (Not recognising the thanks for everything that God has worked in the persons life including health and success) and simply equate Gods favour with success and conversly success with asking favours of God. Almost a transactional model of worship (Lord please don't let them score - I'll go to Mass on Sunday...?)
I suppose it comes down to the quality of the witness itself and to the visible Christian lifestyle behind it. If the whole lifestyle is steeped in the Lord then there is obviously a deeper level that people could be inspired to persue.
The best of luck to him, lets hope for more like that.
@ Father Fingan
The distinctive grace of the sacrament is the gratia ad robur, grace for strengthening, as the perfection of the grace of Baptism, enabling us to bear witness to the faith - if necessary even unto death, and in the Pacman's line of business death is not beyond the realms of possibility
Steve Bunce interviewed my eldest son Michael, on his weekly sports chat show on BBC Radio London 94.9, before Michael went to St Mary's University College to study Sport & Education. Michael has since achieved a first class honours degree, and he is now studying for his MA while working at St Mary's as their student adviser.
Steve Bunce aka "Buncey" is widely regarded as 'the voice of British boxing'. He has been at five Olympic Games and reported on over fifty fights in Las Vegas, and he rates the Pacman as one of world boxing's all time greats.
As well as being a regular columnist for Boxing Monthly, Buncey also contributes to The Independent and the Sunday Herald. He has a monthly boxing show on BBC Radio Five Live and a weekly sports chat show on BBC Radio London 94.9.
Steve makes regular appearances as a pundit on the BBC sports programme Inside Sport and on BBC Radio Five Live's Fighting Talk. Until June 2009, Steve presented his own boxing programme on Setanta Sports called Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour.
Steve has just published his first novel, THE FIXER, a fast-paced boxing thriller which takes the reader into the murky secret world of deals, fights and fighters - a world beyond the glitz, glamour and glory.
"Steve Bunce knows this colourful world inside out and the story crackles with so much authenticity that you can almost smell the stale sweat and leather as you turn the pages. It's boxing, blondes and Bunce - what more would a fight fan want?" asks Sport Magazine
Well as the Pacman looks ahead to his May 7 fight in Las Vegas against Sugar Shane Mosley, the expected boxing bravado and trash talk is noticeably absent from Pacquiao.
"I'm not going to say I'm going to win yet because the fight isn't done yet. I just need to train hard and believe in God," he said.
Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us!
What a surprise to find a post on Manny Pacquiao on your blog! He is one Filipino who is known by everyone in his country and who is admired by almost everyone here.
I'm not sure he was wise to go into politics but I pray that his values may remain intact. You may be interested in his views on controversial 'reproductive health' legislation that is being currently debated here: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/11/22/10/pacquiao-forget-rh-bill-go-forth-and-multiply
Fr Sean - many thanks for that link. Most interesting.
"(I wonder if he could be persuaded to contribute to the building of a minor Basilica in Blackfen?)"
I'll have a word, Fr.
Manny Pacquiao is awesome!
The Pac Man has been gifted by Almighty God with a truly amazing talent.
May he indeed rock [sugar] Shane Mosley for the glory of the Father!
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