thedrifter
04-26-08, 07:40 AM
Marines Attend Mass with Pope Benedict
April 25, 2008
Navy News
BETHESDA, Md. - Outpatients from the National Naval Medical Center got a rare opportunity April 17 to celebrate mass with the pope at National's Park.
The newly built stadium temporarily became an open air cathedral, as 46,000 people celebrated the Holy Eucharist with Pope Benedict XVI - born Joseph Alois Ratzinger - the Catholic Church's 265th pope.
"Brothers and sisters in Christ, peace be with you," the pope said beginning the mass.
Cpl. Matthew Bridges, who is an outpatient - injured from an improvised explosive device in Iraq - at the National Naval Medical Center, said he felt his faith in God renew as he attended the mass, even though he is not Catholic. He said when he became injured, he thought of God.
Bridges said he didn't know what to think when the pope reached out and shook his hand. It was a feeling he can't describe, he said, because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I don't know how to explain it," Bridges said. "I have friends who are Catholic that say it's a great blessing to be touched by the pope."
Sgt. James Bane, an administrative assistant in the National Naval Medical Center's Marine Corps Liaison office, said he was honored and privileged to be a part of something so big with a figure that has such a world-wide influence. He said it was uplifting to see so many people from all walks of life taking part in the ceremony.
"I was sitting next to a senator from New Mexico and across the aisle was a group of nuns," Bane said. "Here on one side you have straight politics and on the other side, straight religious. It was neat to have that many people from many different cultures there for the same thing."
Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, said the pope's visit to the U.S. is a blessing when trouble and scandal has plagued the Catholic Church. Today is a spiritual renewal as the pope delivers his message of love and hope to not only the church, but to the entire world, he said.
"The church, which welcomes you today your Holiness, embraces people from every continent and numerous ethnic and cultural backgrounds," Wuerl said. "This church from all over the U.S. shows a face reflective of [many cultures]. It looks to you for renewed inspiration."
The pope said he thanks God for the blessing of visiting the U.S. He said the church needs to meet new challenges based on faith passed down from previous generations. He said tighter bonds within families are forming today, causing positive change in values.
"It is a time of great promise," Benedict said. "We are beginning to see families grow closer together and become more inter-dependent."
Bane said he respects the views of the pope and the Catholic Church, even though he is not Catholic. He said the message of peace, hope and prosperity needed in the world rings true regardless of a person's religious background.
"Americans have always been a people of hope," Benedict said. "They always exceed expectations of finding new freedom, opportunity and building anew."
Ellie
April 25, 2008
Navy News
BETHESDA, Md. - Outpatients from the National Naval Medical Center got a rare opportunity April 17 to celebrate mass with the pope at National's Park.
The newly built stadium temporarily became an open air cathedral, as 46,000 people celebrated the Holy Eucharist with Pope Benedict XVI - born Joseph Alois Ratzinger - the Catholic Church's 265th pope.
"Brothers and sisters in Christ, peace be with you," the pope said beginning the mass.
Cpl. Matthew Bridges, who is an outpatient - injured from an improvised explosive device in Iraq - at the National Naval Medical Center, said he felt his faith in God renew as he attended the mass, even though he is not Catholic. He said when he became injured, he thought of God.
Bridges said he didn't know what to think when the pope reached out and shook his hand. It was a feeling he can't describe, he said, because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I don't know how to explain it," Bridges said. "I have friends who are Catholic that say it's a great blessing to be touched by the pope."
Sgt. James Bane, an administrative assistant in the National Naval Medical Center's Marine Corps Liaison office, said he was honored and privileged to be a part of something so big with a figure that has such a world-wide influence. He said it was uplifting to see so many people from all walks of life taking part in the ceremony.
"I was sitting next to a senator from New Mexico and across the aisle was a group of nuns," Bane said. "Here on one side you have straight politics and on the other side, straight religious. It was neat to have that many people from many different cultures there for the same thing."
Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, said the pope's visit to the U.S. is a blessing when trouble and scandal has plagued the Catholic Church. Today is a spiritual renewal as the pope delivers his message of love and hope to not only the church, but to the entire world, he said.
"The church, which welcomes you today your Holiness, embraces people from every continent and numerous ethnic and cultural backgrounds," Wuerl said. "This church from all over the U.S. shows a face reflective of [many cultures]. It looks to you for renewed inspiration."
The pope said he thanks God for the blessing of visiting the U.S. He said the church needs to meet new challenges based on faith passed down from previous generations. He said tighter bonds within families are forming today, causing positive change in values.
"It is a time of great promise," Benedict said. "We are beginning to see families grow closer together and become more inter-dependent."
Bane said he respects the views of the pope and the Catholic Church, even though he is not Catholic. He said the message of peace, hope and prosperity needed in the world rings true regardless of a person's religious background.
"Americans have always been a people of hope," Benedict said. "They always exceed expectations of finding new freedom, opportunity and building anew."
Ellie