Catholic Chaplain for Sport reflects on Fabrice Muamba

Fabrice Muamba

As young football star Fabrice Muamba fights for his life in hospital, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match on Saturday, Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, Catholic Chaplain for Sport for the Diocese of Westminster, has sent us this brief reflection:

Sport
A metaphor for life
Shows us once again
How our future
Perhaps translucent
And maybe bright
Is always unseen.

As in sport
So in life
It is wise
To live in the present of the present
In which God is present
And may
Suddenly be seen
Face to face.

Fabrice Muamba, Bolton Wanderers midfielder collapsed in the 41st minute of Saturday's FA Cup tie against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. He is currently in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital. Doctors say his condition is critical.

The 23 year-old's plight has prompted a huge reaction across the global football community. Bolton manager Own Coyle said Fabrice's family have overwhelmed with messages of support and prayer pledges.

Fabrice's fiancee Shauna has appealed for continued prayers. She wrote on her Twitter account last night: "Please keep praying for @fmuamba its really helping I can feel it.

A joint statement from Bolton, Barts and The NHS Trust this morning read: "Fabrice Muamba's heart condition is stable, but he remains critically ill in intensive care at The London Chest Hospital.

As Catholic Chaplain for Sport, Mgr Felzmann is involved with preparations for the chaplaincy at the London Olympics. He is also working with the John Paul II Foundation for Sport, launched by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Britain in September 2010, with the aim of encouraging Catholics to participate in sports.