“Drink now from this Cup, and let your sins be forgiven…” – Nick Dion

How’s this for religion in the public sphere:

Father François Gravel of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, showed up to Mass last Sunday dressed in garb decorated with the logo of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, currently playing in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After the usual rituals, he went on to bless the team and pray for its success.

Facing elimination against the Washington Capitals yesterday evening, the Montreal team won the game. There is no word on whether a special mass is scheduled in Trois-Rivières ahead of the final and deciding game of the series tomorrow night, or as to whether religious authorities in Washington plan to mobilise in an attempt to win divine favour for their team…