St. Joseph, patron of those who practice crossfit

Reflections by Paolo Spina*

For centuries, the Catholic Church has provided to entrust people and places to the benevolent protection of the holy and saints remembered in the calendar.

Every now and then devotion borders on superstition, and the patronage seem to resemble a sort of name-cose-city game, losing sight of what really matters.

Today, however, I could not help but think of San Giuseppe, patron of dads, workers, carpenters, agonizing, universal church and ... depended on me, even of all and all those who practice crossfit.

Giuseppe was a carpenter, a job that requires strength, resistance and manual ability: like CrossFit.

Crossfit requires constancy, discipline and ability to overcome its limits; Giuseppe, accepting his role in the history of salvation, has shown a great resilience: he protected Mary and Jesus, he faced difficulties and has adapted to difficult situations, such as the escape to Egypt.

In Crossfit, progress comes with sacrifice and daily commitment; Giuseppe is the emblem of the industrious humility, of those who work without looking for awards and dedicate themselves without sparing themselves to their mission.

CrossFit is based on the concept of functional movements - Functional Fitness - useful in daily life: Joseph, practical craftsman and agile worker, has embodied these skills, also and above all in being "holy holy", extraordinary in the ordinarity of the newspaper.

San Giuseppe is also the custodian of the Nazareth family: in the Crossfit, a strong community based on mutual support is often created and on feeling the box almost like a second home.

Coaches and coaches are not only models in athleticism, but they guide without imposing themselves, with their example: Giuseppe embodies silent leadership, showing that the real force is not in the domain, but in the service to others.

That's why it seems to me that Joseph, strong, resilient, humble and dedicated to continuous improvement, can tell everyone and all those who practice the most beautiful sport in the world: he works hard, remains humble, protect who you love.

*Paolo Spina is a doctor, passionate about sacred writing and feminist theology and queer, who collaborates with theLGBT Christian Project+ and withThe Gionat tentTo write on topical issues and Christianity.