Javier Aguirre
Episode 198
14 NOV 2022
He is co-organizer of Copa Católica, a soccer tournament for parishes that launched eight years ago and has seen more than 35 teams and over 500 participants. As a result of his involvement with that initiative he has organized and participated in other sports events, including as a referee. This year he started as a trainer for the under-15 team in his town in the Netherlands and he is also organizing amateur world cups. He and his co-organizer of Copa Católica have roots in participating in multiple instances of the worldwide encounter with the Pope known as World Youth Day.
Notable guest quotes:
“I was born and raised in Spain, in Madrid, in a Catholic family… I think that most Spanish people are still Catholic, even if not all of them attend Mass daily.”
“When I was young it was mainly Catholic schools. I was attending a Catholic school.”
“I think it’s very common for Spanish people to go to Catholic school and then be involved with Catholic community until they do their Confirmation sacrament, when they decide to be part of the church after their godfather and godmother had decided in your baptism.”
“It was in World Youth Day in 2011 when I discovered the church as it is, as universal and as that beautiful church that Christ left us.”
“Everything is, if I (look) back now, I think it was really an explosion of faith and happiness.”
“I think this is like in the story you have in the Bible with the girl that goes to pick up water. I think I was thirsty for God. I had really the need (for) God.”
“I was even praying the rosary every day. Some weeks I also attended the Daily Mass. I was joining a group of young Catholics.”
“We were inspired by the Clericus Cup. It is a soccer tournament that is played in the Vatican between people that are studying to be priests, from different countries.”
“I was at least meeting some people and priests during the weekends, and also making pilgrimages – I had two, I think, in the space of one year – which helped me to stay committed.”
“I think… Ireland was a great discovery for me in terms of prayer. So, I joined a meditation group after, I think, two or three months after arriving in Ireland. And I think this was what I was really missing.”
“For me I think that the periods that I had more prayer in my life, it’s not that I didn’t have difficulties, but I had the strength to fight or to address the difficulties… I really had the hope.”
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