British monk solutions query he is typically requested about life | UK | News | EUROtoday

As the soccer season attracts to an in depth, a monk from Ampleforth Abbey – a Benedictine abbey in North Yorkshire – has taken to social media to reply a burning query he’s typically requested: Can monks assist a soccer membership?

In a stunning revelation, the daddy admitted that certainly they do. “Yes we do [follow football] – we have one monk who supports Leeds, we have two who support Manchester United, one who supports Stoke, and one who died last year at 93 supporting Newcastle – so he just missed out on their triumph,” he disclosed on TikTok. “But I’m sure he’s rejoicing in heaven.”

The father additionally shared that the monks have interaction in their very own distinctive sporting pastime, which includes a “strange form of squash” performed in a stone “court” on the Abbey. This sport, he stated, was introduced over from France by their neighborhood 200 years in the past.

“We have sort of a flat, wooden paddle and a cork ball covered in leather,” he elaborated. “I don’t get much chance to play sports now – I’m one of three brothers so we used to play lots of sports at home and then at school and university, so I’ve always loved sport.”

The father likened being a soccer fan to a spiritual devotion, in the meantime, explaining, “You have to suffer with your team in order to rejoice with your team,” and mused on the religious parallels.

“And it’s like when they’re relegated, you rise again when they’re promoted. So I’ve always seen a kind of religious connotation – there’s a commitment people show in supporting a team.”

He confessed his personal lack of such dedication, nonetheless, admitting to being “a bit promiscuous” in his sporting loyalties, citing “Spurs, Man City and Newcastle” as his fluctuating favourites.

Continuing to drawing parallels with monastic life, in the meantime, he mirrored: “I think when it comes to understanding that sense of commitment, I think in the monastery as well, we try and support each other through difficulties and rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are weeping.”

The father concluded by revealing his fascination with the “slightly mesmerised by the soap opera of sports”, acknowledging its flaws but in addition its attract: “It’s the human drama, I’m sometimes horrified by the corruption and the shallowness of it, but I’m also entranced by the beauty of it – not just the individual skill, but a really good goal shows the teamwork of it. I think that’s really beautiful to watch.”

One TikTok consumer quipped in response to the video: “You’d think they’d support Southampton with them being the ‘Saints’!” Another individual reminded the daddy: “Don’t forget Brother Walfrid founded Celtic.”

A 3rd sympathised with a missed victory, commenting, “Such a shame that your Newcastle fan missed the win! I’m sure he saw it somehow.”

A fourth fan lamented the trials of their allegiance, saying: “Being a Spurs fan is quite the long suffering vocation. But hopefully like monastic life worth it – still waiting for that trophy though!”

Whilst a fifth additionally refelcted on the similarites in soccer and religion, noting: “I imagine the criticism you get for supporting your team despite change of owners, their actions and attendance etc. is like that of being criticised for following your religion.”