Patron Saint of Soccer and Football: St. Luigi Scrosoppi

The saint known as the patron saint of soccer (football) players is St. Luigi Scrosoppi (1804–1884), an Italian priest from Udine who spent his life caring for orphaned and abandoned children. In 2010 an Austrian bishop proclaimed him patron of footballers at the request of soccer fans, and his patronage has spread since then, though it is not a universal decree of the Holy See. Many players, in soccer and in American football alike, also turn to St. Sebastian, the patron of all athletes. Below are his story, other saints for players and fans, and prayers before a match.

A short prayer before a match, written for this page:

St. Luigi Scrosoppi, pray for our team today.
Give us strength, speed and a clear head, keep every player safe from injury,
and help us to play fair, to win humbly and to lose with grace. Amen.

Who was St. Luigi Scrosoppi?

Luigi Scrosoppi was born in Udine, in northeastern Italy, on August 4, 1804, and was ordained a priest in 1827. With his older brother Carlo, also a priest, he devoted himself to the poorest girls of the city, orphans and children left on the streets, giving them a home, schooling and a trade. In 1837 he founded a religious congregation, the Sisters of Providence of St. Cajetan, to care for them, and in 1846 he joined the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, the cheerful saint who loved to see young people play. He lived in poverty, trusted completely in God’s providence, and cared for the sick and the poor of Udine until his death on April 3, 1884. Pope St. John Paul II canonized him in 2001. His feast is kept on April 3.

How he became patron of footballers

For a long time soccer had no saint of its own. An Austrian fan, Manfred Pesek, set out to find one, and with the help of theologians he looked for a saint whose virtues fit the game: love for young people, patience, teamwork and joy. They chose Luigi Scrosoppi. On August 22, 2010, at a Mass in Pörtschach am Wörthersee, in Austria, Bishop Alois Schwarz proclaimed him patron of footballers, and he has since been honored by amateur and professional players, especially in Italy and Austria.

Other saints for players and fans

St. Sebastian, patron of athletes, invoked by players of every sport. See the St. Sebastian prayer.
St. Carlo Acutis, a teenager who loved playing soccer with his friends. See the St. Carlo Acutis prayer.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, the joyful young athlete and mountaineer. See St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.
St. Philip Neri, who let the boys of Rome play noisily around him and said he would let them chop wood on his back as long as they did not sin.

For American football there is no official patron; most players and coaches pray to St. Sebastian.

Scripture for players

Pressing on toward the goal (Philippians 3:13–14, Douay-Rheims):

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before,
I press towards the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus.

Playing with discipline (1 Corinthians 9:24–25, Douay-Rheims):

Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain.
And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one.

Prayers for soccer and football players

Written for this page.

A team prayer before the game

Lord, we thank you for this game and for one another.
Help us to play with all our heart, to respect our opponents and the referee,
and to keep every player on both teams safe. Win or lose, may we give you glory. Amen.

For a goalkeeper

St. Luigi, pray for me in goal.
Give me quick hands, good judgment and a steady heart,
and help me to shake off mistakes and keep fighting. Amen.

For coaches

Lord, bless our coaches.
Give them patience, wisdom and a love for the young people they lead,
as St. Luigi Scrosoppi loved the children in his care. Amen.

For an injured player

St. Sebastian, you knew suffering and recovery.
Pray for my healing, give me patience while I wait,
and bring me back to the field stronger. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the patron saint of soccer?

St. Luigi Scrosoppi, proclaimed patron of footballers by an Austrian bishop in 2010. St. Sebastian, patron of athletes, is also invoked.

Who is the patron saint of football?

For soccer (football in most of the world), St. Luigi Scrosoppi. For American football there is no official patron; players usually invoke St. Sebastian.

Patron Saint of Soccer and Football Players: St. Luigi Scrosoppi and a Prayer Before a Match