Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has never shied away from expressing his Catholic faith. Known for quoting Scripture during press conferences, keeping seats reserved for priests at games, and carrying a massive Rosary, Mazzulla recently shared his most personal ambition yet his desire to become a Catholic deacon.
Speaking on the Godsplaining podcast with Dominican Father Joseph Anthony Kress, Mazzulla revealed, “I just became eligible to be a deacon, which I’ve always wanted to do.” Rather than focusing on NBA titles or playoff success, the young coach emphasized his spiritual goals, saying he often wrestles with how to stay grateful and humble in the face of success.
Raised in a deeply Catholic environment, Mazzulla attended church regularly and completed his education in Catholic schools. His outspoken faith has gone viral at times, such as when he humorously told a reporter that he only recognized “one royal family — Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”
Mazzulla credited his longtime friend and mentor, Father Marcel Taillon, for providing consistent spiritual guidance since his youth. Their relationship, he said, has been a constant source of accountability and support throughout every stage of his life and career.
Reflecting on faith and relationships, Mazzulla said, “God puts people into your life for particular moments. The time you have with someone is never guaranteed, so you have to make it count.”
He shared that his family plays a central role in his spiritual and professional life. His wife often travels with him during the season, and the couple attends daily and Sunday Mass together. Citing Joshua 24:15 — “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” — he said maintaining faith within his family is as important as coaching itself.
Mazzulla also spoke about the importance of grounding his identity in God rather than in basketball: “It’s easier to believe your worth is in your job than in someone who died for you. Accepting God’s love and grace is simple but not easy.”
Before each game, the Celtics coach prays the Rosary, using beads made from the team’s historic parquet floor a unique blend of his faith and his profession. “It keeps me centered and reminds me that God gave me this dream job for a reason,” he explained.
His devotion to the Rosary began in childhood during “Living Rosary” events at his Catholic school, where students each represented a bead. That early experience, he said, planted the seeds of a lifelong devotion.
Through his words and witness, Joe Mazzulla continues to show that faith and leadership can go hand in hand both on and off the basketball court.
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