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Salve Regina

I love the unexpectedness of this video — the juxtaposition of a monk shredding the streets — using his natural talents in his chosen vocation. The backstory is fascinating:

Friar Gabriel skated for 7 years as a teenager, but felt his vocation was religious life. He was prepared to abandon his passion for skateboarding to live a life of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience as Friars of the Immaculate. Six years after becoming Friars and having not skated, he was given obedience to obtain a skateboard and go to the skatepark once a week – to “preach the gospel at all times, when necessary, use words” as Saint Francis stated. Friar Gabriel explains that God has so many ways of using peoples talents to give Him glory. Skateboarding allows the Friars to help others see the compatibility of exercising the body as well as the soul.