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| | Jesse and Connie Villarreal of Austin,
Texas, sit in Nationals Stadium. | |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 7:30 a.m.,
Jesse and Connie Villarreal of Austin, Texas, were in their seats at Nationals Park baseball stadium. The retired OSHA compliance officer and elementary school teacher were thrilled to be attending this morning’s papal Mass.
"We got up about 4:30 this morning. We thought we were beating the crowds, but by the time we got to the subway, hundreds were there before us.”
Most Catholics in the crowd agree that the best thing about a papal Mass is seeing so many Catholics come together to celebrate our faith. “I’m so excited!” exclaimed a woman who asked not to be identified. “I feel just like a little kid. I have butterflies in my stomach and everything!”
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| | Thomas Young of Suitland, Maryland smiles in
Nationals Park. Photo by Kathleen Stauffer. | |
Thomas Young, a retired State Department employee from Suitland, Maryland, won his tickets in a lottery at St. Teresa of Avila Parish. Not coming to the festivities seemed almost inconceivable to Young. “Oh my goodness,” I am a fourth-generation Catholic! I am very, very active in my church. I call myself a walking, living miraculous testimony of God. Oh, yes, this is my life, honey.”
Farther down in the bleachers, 29-year-old massage therapist Elizabeth Kimball shaded her eyes against the rising sun. “I just really wanted to see it,” she said of the papal Mass. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the pope in your hometown. It strengthens your faith to see so many Catholics in one place sharing your beliefs.”
Homeschooling Mom Nancy Brien of Manassas, Virginia, brought her children, Sarah, 11, and Hugh, 13. “It’s the ultimate field trip,” she explained.
By 8:30, the bishops began their parade onto the ball field at Nationals Park. Their scarlet robes swayed in time to a resounding choir and state-of-the-art, record-size video screen hanging above the outfield.
There was some anxiety among archdiocesan officials in Washington, whose preparations for the papal event were hampered at times because the brand-new stadium was in the final stages of completion as officials themselves were putting final plans into place for Pope Benedict’s arrival.
