We went to the Priests versus Seminarians basketball game tonight. It was at Rice University, in their basketball gymnasium, and the place was pretty close to sold out. This was the seventh year of the game’s history, and I was beyond excited to be there for it this time. Ever since I first heard about it, I wanted to go. This year, I finally made it happen.
Essentially, as I understand it, it is both a fundraiser for and awareness-raiser for St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. It let’s people know about the seminary, while also raising funds for it in a very fun way. The current seminarians form a basketball team to play a single game against local priests, those who have already gone through seminary, be it at St. Mary’s or elsewhere. The first two years, the priests won. The next four years, the seminarians won. Tonight, the priests won. And not by only a few points.
No, they were nothing like the March Madness games my husband had me watching just recently. Not even close. These are priests and future priests, not upper teenagers trying to get into the NBA. We were not here for mad skills, but for the fun of seeing seemingly very serious folks do something very fun and, well, normal. The first quarter ended with a combined score of eight points. These were not exactly future pros here – they definitely discerned rightly in their vocations (and in a career that makes a massive difference in a good way in society, so a big thank you to all of these guys for that!).
Seeing them play at all was already a treat. When they had really warmed up and the pressure was on in the second half, though, it was actually a very entertaining game as a game. It was just extra-impressive at that point, given that some of them, as my husband pointed out, did rather look as though they may never have played basketball [or any other sport, for that matter] a day in their lives. At least, not in their adult lives. Again, sports aren’t exactly their focus in the post-seminary life.
Nonetheless, it ended up being very fast-paced and exciting by the last quarter. At every point throughout the game, the whole place went wild, anyway. When points were happening so quickly near the end, it was like a constant up and down of screams and cheers. Plus, everyone cheered for everyone. Sure, folks cheered especially for their local priests or old fellow parishioner, but they all still cheered for every point. And like it was the greatest basket ever made. It was hilarious, really, and totally wonderful. And they actually played a good and athletically entertaining game. It was not hilarious because they were being funny. It was simply hilarious that everyone was on the same team, while officially having two separate teams. Plus, Inhave never before tonight seen a basketball game where no one gets angry… where everyone plays with authenticity… It was… awesome.
At the end, they all did a group picture together and were hugging and having a great time with each other. They really were and are all on the same team.
Also, being Catholic, the invocation at the start was the coolest thing I may have every experienced with prayer. The priest says, ‘Let us pray,’ and the entire population did the sign of the cross in synch, and most of them said a hearty “Amen” to go with it. It was like choreography for the masses. Very, cool and slightly spooky in the best way.
Thank you, God, for this blessing tonight. I am so grateful to have been present for such a wonderful event. Help it to continue to grow vocations in our local society, and help me to be a part of that. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Post-a-day 2024
hannah ananas 