Rectors’ Cup 2023

St. Augustine’s Soccer Team at the Rectors’ Cup Athletic Contest in London, Ontario

By Daniel Malone

Mors et vitae duello, conflixere mirando! Or so it seemed on the evening of January 20th at a school gymnasium in London, Ontario. After a hiatus of two years, St. Augustine's and St. Peter's seminaries resumed the Rectors' Cup athletic contest—what the Greeks would have called ἀγών (agōn) from which we in English get the word ‘agony.’ The 90-minute soccer game had dozens enthralled as the score remained close all night. The final goal was kicked into St. Peter's net by Nathanael Thompson with about 3 seconds left on the clock, setting the final score at 17-16. Truly a competition worthy of two years' wait. There were impressive displays of sportsmanship on both sides, as well as well-handled minor injuries.

After the game, St. Peter's demonstrated their hospitality with a surfeit of pizzas and just the right amount of fellowship.

The next morning began with giving honour to God and His Virgin Martyr Agnes with Holy Mass in the seminary's beautiful gothic chapel, adorned with stained glass windows depicting both the Doctors of the Church as well as scenes from the lives of the Church's most temerarious missionaries—St. Boniface smiting the oak of Thor and St. Jean de Brébeuf in Huronia, and more.

Off to another school gym went the seminarians again. The previous evening's strenuous soccer match gave way to a less intense series of basketball games, by the end of which the teams had mingled to include players from both seminaries.

St. Augustine's Seminary extends its gratitude for a weekend of good cheer, good sportsmanship, good fellowship, and good food to St. Peter's. With eager anticipation, St. Augustine's looks forward to reciprocating all this next winter, at the next Cup.