March 30, 2008
Official papal skateboard and more
NEW YORK - One of the many gifts Pope
Benedict will receive when he arrives in New York City next month will
be a skateboard designed by a local child.
The Archdiocese of New York is holding a contest this spring to see who
could design the best "Official Papal Skateboard" for the 80-year-old
pontiff.
About 70 children entered the competition. A winner has yet to be
picked.
The idea for the contest came from a youth skateboarding club at St.
Elizabeth's Church in Manhattan.
American Papist previously posted on the contest for the official Papal Skateboard and you can see the individual submissions here.
Now you might see the idea of a skateboard contest for the Pope to be rather silly especially with the stereotype of skaters being rebellious, non-conforming youth. But the Pope receives lots of gifts he wouldn't personally have much use for, but amazingly this is not true in this case and I have a world exclusive.
The above is a never before seen picture showing the Pope coming off of a ramp at the secretive papal skateboard park.
Word has it that it was after the Pope saw Br. Pio Maria of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal performing and jumping over priests that he decided he would be interested in learning how to skateboard himself. Now we don't have to worry about the Pope starting to include the number eight in words in his encyclicals, wearing baggy pants, and listening to skate punk; especially since he much prefers Mozart on his iPod while skateboarding
Posted by Jeff Miller at March 30, 2008 6:07 PM | TrackBackOh. My. Gosh.
Posted by AmericanPapist email at March 30, 2008 7:32 PMI've heard of Holy Rollers, but this is ridiculous!
Posted by Panda Rosa email at March 30, 2008 10:37 PMawesome. Faith meets the culture. rockin!
Posted by jenb email at March 30, 2008 11:22 PMProof that many things can be done in a cassock :) Go Papa Go! Those are some brave priests on the group in the second pic.
Posted by Lauren email at March 31, 2008 12:33 AMWatch out Tony Hawk! Here comes PB16 grinding the (communion) rail!!
Posted by LarryD email at March 31, 2008 7:18 AMNice pictures. I was considering the picture on the front of his book Milestones, where he would be skating between the columns at St. Peter's square.
Posted by Kevin email at March 31, 2008 8:02 AMI'm OK with Pope Benedict skateboarding, but when he begins dropping "dude" into the encyclicals, I'm outta here.
Posted by The Ironic Catholic email at March 31, 2008 9:20 AMThat makes me glad the Holy Father isn't coming to our parish. I don't mind having to run outside the rectory, put on my "mean old Mom" face and point to the NO SKATEBOARDING sign. Except in this case...
Posted by Ellyn email at March 31, 2008 12:16 PMWow, that just kicked my self esteem down a notch because if the pope can skate board then me a teenagers should be able to not fall off of a skate board that isn't even moving.
Posted by Reader K. email at March 31, 2008 1:46 PMInstead of writing "SK8" the Pope writes "2X8" because 2X8 = XVI
Posted by L email at April 1, 2008 12:51 AMmaybe we'll finally see liturgical slam dancing come into fashion. I've been praying...
Posted by Carolina Cannonball email at April 1, 2008 1:15 PMTHE LIMITED EDITION OFFICIAL PAPAL SKATEBOARD ON SALE NOW! Buy this numbered board before they sell out! Proceeds to benefit inner city retreats and recreation programs. www.boardpusher.com
Posted by Fr.Peter Pomposello email at April 18, 2008 4:05 PMSuper-puper site!
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