The Theology and Ministry Program of the School of Humanities invites you to the online oral defense of the M.A. Thesis entitled “SPORTS AS A PATH TO GOD: The Flow Spirituality of Fr. Patrick Kelly, SJ” by Fr. COSME CARLO A. LACANG, S.J. on 14 July 2025, Monday, 10:00 a.m. The Board of Examiners is composed of Fr. Francis Alvarez, S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D. (Adviser), Fr. Oliver Dy, S.J., S.T.D., Ph.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), Fr. Herbert Schneider, S.J., S.T.D., and Fr. Mark Aloysius, S.J., D.Phil. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Theological Studies specializing in the field of Systematic Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: This research probes into the theological and pastoral dimensions of sports by establishing its vital links with faith. At the core of this research is the integration of flow theory—a psychological framework on optimal experience—with Catholic theology and Ignatian spirituality. This leads to the articulation of flow spirituality, which, though not explicitly named or formulated as such by Fr. Patrick Kelly SJ, is clearly gleaned from his scholarly works and pastoral efforts.
Flow spirituality promotes the experience of joy, transcendence, and human flourishing in sports as a path toward encountering God, the formation of the moral self, and discernment of life vocation. It emphasizes the unity of body and spirit, the analogical relationship between grace and play, the development of virtue, and the parallels of sports participation with the Christian mission.
The research affirms that sports, when complemented by reflective practices such as the Ignatian Examen and accompanied by able discernment guides, can serve as effective instruments of human growth and evangelization. As application of flow spirituality, the research also evaluates and proposes practical recommendations to enhance the sports formation program of a Jesuit basic education institution in the Philippines.
For future studies, the researcher recommends expanding the theological understanding of sports through other Catholic spiritualities, exploring its relation to the Paschal Mystery of Christ, integrating sports into the formation programs of the Church, and adopting flow spirituality as a framework in Catholic educational and pastoral contexts.
The research, by highlighting flow spirituality, ultimately presents sports not as an end in itself, but as a meaningful and formative means of glorifying God, promoting communion, and deepening the missionary faith of individuals and communities.
The research, by highlighting flow spirituality, ultimately presents sports not as an end in itself, but as a meaningful and formative means of glorifying God, promoting communion, and deepening the missionary faith of individuals and communities.
