Ten years ago, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti was talking to the Catholic
chaplain for the Washington Nationals before Mass. The priest was talking about
how he needed to find a replacement chaplain because he was too busy. Msgr.
Rosssetti — who at that time attended games at RFK Stadium whenever he could —
says he “jumped at the chance.” "
As Catholic chaplain for the Nationals, Msgr. Rossetti, a
research professor in pastoral
studies, celebrates Mass for the players, coaches and staff
on Sundays when they are home. He has two priests who work with him, Father
Andrew Fisher, pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Annandale, and Father Quinn
Conners, O.Carm., a part-time faculty member in the School of
Theology and Religious Studies.
In addition to Mass, Msgr. Rossetti answers the call for other
spiritual and sacramental needs.
“I have baptized their babies, done marriage prep, and helped
them with other sacramental issues,” he says. “At the Mass, both teams are
invited as well as any staff and coaches. It is a nice time when both teams can
gather together before a game and pray together. When Mass is over, I notice
how good the opposing teams are to each other, shaking hands and welcoming.
It’s a nice witness of unity and mutual respect and esteem.”
As chaplain, he is also a source for many blessings. He has
blessed bats, players with injuries, and those “just asking for God’s
strength.” Msgr. Rossetti (who recently published a book on priestly
blessings) says that as a priest, he tries to “bring the church
to those that don’t go to church anymore. To my surprise, almost all the
players, Catholic and otherwise, are grateful and even seek out a blessing.
It’s a beautiful moment which occurs often and I encourage priests everywhere
to be generous in blessing people.”
Whenever he’s able, Msgr. Rossetti tries to be a regular and
positive presence to the team. When things aren’t going particularly well, he
says he’ll try to give that player a smile and an encouraging word.
“I remember years ago when the team was not doing well and at one
point went 0-10,” he says. “You could cut the gloom in the locker room
with a knife. I made a point of stopping by and I recall one player picked up
his head and said, ‘Boy, do we need you!’”
Just like they appear on TV, Msgr. Rossetti says the players,
coaches, and staff are “a quality bunch of people and a joy to be with.” He
says they genuinely enjoy each other and are having fun together.
At a team Mass this year, he delivered a homily on the virtue of
hope.
“Early in the season, when we were 12 games below .500, it would
have been easy to give up,” he says. “If they did, they would never be where
they are today. In everyone’s life, there are difficult moments. Always, and
especially at those times, we hope in God. We know that God is always with us,
never abandons us. So, we never give up or give in. We, too, stay in the
Christian fight until the end.”
Msgr. Rossetti is holding on to that hope for the Nationals a
little while longer as the team heads to the World Series. He plans to continue
to be a positive presence to the team and will celebrate Mass with them on
Sunday. “Afterwards, I’ll be in the stands cheering for sure. And definitely
thumbing my (rosary) beads and praying for the team.”
“I know God loves everyone and I pray for everyone,” he says.
“But … I think God has a pretty good idea who I’m rooting for.”