Joliet Reverend Offers Spiritual Guidance to Cubs as Chaplain

JOLIET, IL — Diocese of Joliet Vocations Director and Reverend Burke Masters has dedicated his life to God. So he probably has Him to thank for his stroke of luck in getting to live out his second greatest passion: baseball.

Masters actually aspired to become a big-league baseball player, but his love for God won out and in 1997 he entered the Mundelein Seminary, according to a report from the Catholic New World.

But four years ago, Catholic Athletes for Christ reached out to him to become a volunteer chaplain for the Chicago Cubs.

“Through the grapevine of priests they heard that I played baseball,” Masters said in the article. “The two things that I love to combine in my ministry is faith and sports, so this was a great opportunity. And having played baseball, this couldn’t get much better for me.”

Masters holds Mass at Wrigley Field for both teams during Sunday home games. Staff and stadium employees are also welcome to attend. After Mass, he’ll hang out in the dugout and locker room.

“It really opens up some nice conversations. Even though they may not be attending Mass, they know that somebody is trying to care for their spiritual needs,” he said in the article.

And does he pray for the Cubs to win?

“What I pray for is that they all play to their ability. Honestly, I don’t think God cares who wins,” he said. “If everybody plays to their ability, usually the best team wins.”

photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs