ROME – Snow, ice, skis and skates: Those are just some of the essential ingredients that have come together for the XX Olympic Winter Games Feb. 10-26 in Turin, Italy. The Catholic Church is also getting into the mix, adding its own sacred riches and traditions to an event that's brimming with Olympic spirit.
Even the Vatican has gotten involved in the games. Pope Benedict XVI blessed the Olympic flame during his Dec. 8 Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
A Swiss Guard, who was sporting a tracksuit and sneakers instead of his usual colorful uniform, held the torch aloft for the blessing. The guard had received the flame from a Vatican gendarme, making it the first time Vatican representatives ever participated as Olympic torchbearers.
While the Vatican has never sent anyone to compete in the Olympics, the Vatican will have a representative at the games.
For the first time, the head of the Vatican's new sports office, U.S. Father Kevin Lixey, will be in Turin to network with national Olympic committees and chaplains from other countries. It will be the Legionaries of Christ priest's Olympic debut; the Vatican's church and sport desk was officially unveiled just days before the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Parish churches all over Turin and the surrounding mountain villages will have their doors wide open to the public. Three dioceses are hosting concerts, special exhibits and additional Masses in several languages.
While Olympic sponsors will be handing out freebies to spectators and visitors, local Catholic, Waldensian and Orthodox churches will be distributing 50,000 free copies of a special Olympic edition of St. Mark's Gospel.
While the city of Turin is still an industrial icon of the Fiat automobile, it is just as well-known for being the home of the Shroud of Turin. Many people believe this 17-foot-long linen cloth bearing the image of a crucified man is Jesus' burial cloth. It has been kept in the cathedral of Turin since 1578, but it has not been on public display since 2000.
Though the shroud will remain in protective storage during the Olympics, the city's cathedral will feature a special exhibit showcasing the shroud and its history.
The Olympics draw some of the world's finest athletes who come together in an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood – ideals that mesh perfectly with the Christian moral values of love and charity.
Competitors will represent some of the fittest, fastest and most graceful athletes in their sport, and some will also boast some strong spiritual muscle.
Rebecca Dussault, a U.S. cross-country skier from Colorado, will be following in the tracks of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, born in Turin in 1901 and beatified by Pope John Paul II May 20, 1990.
When he was not studying for his degree in mining engineering or helping people in need, Blessed Pier Giorgio would be climbing or skiing the same peaks where some Olympic mountain events are being held.
Dussault has made him the patron of her journey to the games, and she's inscribed his name on her skis for, if not a competitive, then a spiritual edge.
Derek Parra, 2002 Olympic gold and silver medalist in men's speedskating, will glide his blades across Turin's new Lingotto rink. He's easy to spot: He's one of just a few Mexican-Americans to take to the Olympic ice, and he always makes the sign of the cross before the starting signal.
Catholics will also be represented on the U.S. figure skating, women's ice hockey and bobsled teams and in the stands as well, cheering on their favorite athletes.
While some athletes wear their faith on their sleeves – or their skis – they'll all be digging down deep within themselves to do their best and live out their dream of taking part in the Olympics.
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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