By David Eck and Eileen Connelly, OSU

Some priests may go their whole careers without ever having the chance to concelebrate a Mass with the pope. But Father Ron Haft did it less than a year after being ordained.

CT FILE PHOTOS

Father Ron Haft

"We were extremely fortunate," said Father Haft. "It was very uplifting."

Father Haft was able to get a good look at Pope Benedict, as he rode by in his popemobile about 25 feet away. About 45,000 people attended the Mass.

"The Mass was spiritually invigorating to see so many priests, bishops and deacons gathered around the Holy Father," Father Haft said. "It was very heartwarming to see how many young people have a great affection for the Holy Father, which means they have a great love for their faith."

The experience reinvigorated his calling and encouraged him to be the best priest he can be for the sake of the faithful.

"It strengthened my vocation and reminds me that I am always called to be a better priest," he said. "It was wonderful to be gathered together with so many people who hold the same faith."

Father Geoffrey Drew, pastor of St. Rita Parish in Dayton, said attending a papal event is always unique.

Father Geoffrey Drew

He, too, got to see Pope Benedict up close

"We pray for the Holy Father each day," Father Drew said. "All of a sudden he’s in the flesh. It just a very moving, very exciting experience."

In addition to the Mass, Father Drew was struck with the aura of the entire event. He recalled how media commented on the various topics the pope addressed including immigration, strengthening marriage, his stern words on clergy abuse and his meeting with abuse survivors. One commentator called him a "pope of hope."

"I think that was a very interesting way of looking at it," Father Drew said. "At this time in the church there is a great need for hope, because we’re challenged on different fronts."

The Mass also gave Father Drew a chance to meet and talk with priests from other regions as they waited for Pope Benedict to arrive.

"It really spoke loudly to me of the fraternity of the priesthood," he said. "None of us are in this alone. There’s definitely a bond, there’s a fraternal bond, that was very uplifting and satisfying."

For Father Greg Konerman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Urbana and Sacred Heart Parish in New Paris, the energy that surged throughout Washington was exciting.

"There was so much excitement among the people," he said. "I thought it was wonderful. (Benedict) is so brilliant and what he says is so on the mark in regard to the fundamentals of our faith and what we need to hear as a nation."

Father Frank Amberger, pastor of St. Remy Parish in Russia, was touched by the Mass, despite the fact that had been to a papal mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II.

"It’s a wonderful experience, and Pope Benedict certainly is a very profound successor to St. Peter," Father Amberger said. "It’s a great feeling of hope that Christ is still leading us in a very tangible way.’’

He said Pope Benedict is building on the foundation of John Paul II by calling on Catholics to actively be engaged in the life of the world but not laying our faith aside. A key element of Pope Benedict’s visit was to provide a renewal to Catholics’ faith.

"There’s always this sense of a freshness to our faith and the need for everyone to really heed the call of Christ," Father Amberger said. "To model Him unreservedly, and how much the world needs each and every one of us to be faithful."

Five priests from the Cincinnati area traveled together by car to Washington to participate in the papal visit. Father James Reutter, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish, said the priests in attendance gathered in a field designated as an area for concelebrating clergy to await the pope’s arrival.

"There was a sense of joy as we waited," Father Reutter said. "We watched the stands fill up and could sense the excitement of the crowd. The theme for his visit was ‘Christ our Hope,’ and there was definitely a spirit of joy and hope, along with a sense of curiosity."

The visit was a reminder for parish priests, added Father Reutter, that "we are part of the universal church and share in its apostolic mission and we share in the worldwide mission of Christ bringing His hope to others."

On a personal level, Father Reutter said the pope’s visit, "helped renew my zeal and excitement for my own priestly mission. It was a chance to be in the presence of someone who is not only Christ’s vicar, but a great man and a model for my own priesthood."

Father Michael Cordier, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Mt. Repose, said, "It was a very exciting time to come together as a people of faith for a special celebration with our Holy Father. The spotlight was on him, but we need to remember that he is trying to shine the light on the Lord, so we can come to better know, love and worship our God."

"We were on the right field line, within 10 to 20 feet of the pope as he passed by," Father Cordier said. "He turned and waved and blessed us. It was a thrill to be so close to our Holy Father. Being present with him, the leader of our church, and to celebrate Mass with hundreds, if not thousands, of other clergy and tens of thousands of people, was so special."

Evan Nolan, a Cincinnati native from St. Martin of Tours Parish now living in the District of Columbia said the experience of seeing the pope was "amazing and very powerful. It was nice to see so many Catholics gathered together and invigorated about their faith. I also appreciated his emphasis on diversity, not just among the various races, but also the importance of embracing other religions and cultures. Each of the petitions was read in a different language by someone from D.C. whose first language is other than English. I thought that was great."

Lois Mann, an administrative assistant at Chaminade Julienne High School, planned her trip to Washington in January — even though she wasn’t sure she would get a ticket to the Mass. Her ticket arrived a week before she left.

"I wasn’t expecting it," she said. "It was fun to be in the crowd with other people."

She said the event was very streamlined, well organized and very uplifting.

"The whole process welcoming. People were very kind and very reverent to what was going on," she said. "I think he had a great message for the people. They were really listening. You really felt like you were celebrating Mass at your church."

CNS PHOTO/JOSHUA ROBERTS

Members of the clergy stand as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at Nationals Park in Washington April 17.