Pilgrim Papal People
We weren’t super fresh that morning, and so we took to meeting at the Super Fresh parking lot at 4:15 before dawn. It was a journey that we had looked forward to ever since the news was transmitted to us. We had tickets! We were in!
Our time would come and so it did.
We all arrived within minutes of each other… on a brisk chilly morning to travel from central Maryland to the District of Columbia. We drove through the blinking amber lights all the way to the Shady Grove Metro and without delay were aboard the subway speeding into the darkness above ground. Sleepy and still were we.
The excitement built as we closed in on the station for transfer…to the green line and our final destination for the Papal Mass!
The nine of us were just the few from a distant suburban parish, one diocese removed from all the action. In Washington, tickets were doled out in the wheel barrow loads to schools and parishes. In Baltimore, a few hundreds were handed over. Among the thousands who desired them were many youth who were blessed with the chance to receive the Papal ticket…We became the few, the blessed and so it was that we were on our way!
Kathleen, Deborah, Eric, Russ, Ally and Jessi, joined by mothers Judy and Christa and youth guy Ted, found ourselves outside Washington Nationals Park on the morning of April 17th, on time and in fine spirits! 
We entered the secure domain without having to relinquish any prohibited articles, except for the seven second downing of a bottled sport drink just as we entered the gates!
The concourse was sprinkled with people and sunlight, we were among the first to arrive. There was celebratory music filling the space and we searched out the new facilities.
It was a time for relief, a time for reconciliation and taking in the fresh new day! It was invigorating, delightful and almost a bit heavenly. All nations were present in uniform joy-filled greetings. Pleasant and giddy.
Even the arrival at our designated seats did not diminish our joy, in spite of the obstructive nature of the two towers guarding the side view to the presider’s chair… I mean the Pope’s seat.
Even the Altar was hidden by the lesser support columns… which quickly helped us choose the big screen for our viewing ease. The reality is that even those with unobstructed views resorted to the big screen… our eyes can only see what they can see!
It was a festive 3 hours of greeting others and seeing friends from around the state
gathered in the park. And then the crowd gave out a cheer as the Popemobile entered the stadium and rode round the edge. 
Pope Benedict waved to the crowds before the entrance procession. It was all very uplifting and invigorating. 
When he first greeted the mass of pilgrims, it was enthralling to hear so gentle a voice, whisper soft across the space. His voice was confident and yet a very gentle manner. He was enthusiastic and affectionate in his greeting to us all.
The mass proceeded in reverence and very soon we were at the threshold of our Eucharist. The ministers of the Eucharist appeared at our section by the time the prayer had ended and it in itself was a miracle. The order with which reception was had, illustrated the planning that accompanies a celebration this large. We, as one, completed the prayer of the mass and as quickly as it began, the mass was ended. Then Pope Benedict imparted a special blessing for us and our sacramentals, and then he nimbly made his way down the ramp from the altar platform.
As he made his way through the congregation, he did manage to make one family overwhelmed as he blessed a baby in the arms of the mother.
It was great to see the robed vested priests and seminarians in black racing along the path to get a glimpse a bit closer. And then he was gone, beneath the first base dug-out. We were left to enjoy the moment.
Heading out of the park, we were funneled into the street leading to the metro entrance. It was a tight alley way filled with those who wished to make a statement to the faithful. Some were supportive, though most were agitating for their own perspectives. Loudspeakers and megaphones blared from many sides… They had a captive audience… it seemed a little like running a gauntlet. I do believe that love prevailed. We made our way past them and chose to head for the next station 6 blocks west… From there we were able to ride easy to Shady Grove and then lunch at Panera Bread… Communal Bread for us to consume after the bread of Life!
For each of us, our trip was a special moment placed in our ordinary lives. The surreal quality of the day will place itself in our memory all the more willingly.
Truly we were a Pilgrim Papal People!
We were missing several of our people... but this is as good as the group pictures get! Our planning began almost a year ago, and culminated in our group departure last Sunday the 21st from St. Michael's. Our hope was to serve several communities in western Marylandand with the help and support of many folks we were able.
G.I.F.F. The Great Iron Fence of Frostburg took on a legendary life of its own. Our Camp Coney group sent many young scrapers and painters to St. Michael's in Frostburg to bring some former shine to the old iron fence... about 100 years old I heard... Among the many other acts of service, these youth performed great landscaping services to a family who had been parishioners of St. Michael Poplar Springs in the early 90's... 
Our Habitat crew, 41 strong donned the hardhats and framed walls, roof sheathing, graded and seeded a yard, laid up a concrete block foundation and generally set the stage for great success for the Garrett County Habitat for Humanity affiliate... our 6th year with them!
The McLeans whose house we framed interior walls and sheathed, joined us and the Habitat community for dinner at Ida Maust's place... a beautiful mid-week break. Great food, friends, volleyball, campfire and singing made it the special time Wednesdays in Garrett County are for work campers. Thanks so much to our hosts at Gareett County Habitat for Humanity, headed up by Doug Riley, executive director, and Frank Ferry Site Super.
