Photo by Ron Cassie Mount St. Mary’s University students receive communion at Thursday’s Papal Mass.

A palpable sense of excitement filled the chilly air despite the pre-dawn departure and surprisingly, there were only one or two stragglers among the 45 students.

"It's not something you do every day," said sophomore Kelly Casazza, a sophomore from Laurel. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Tess Stumme, a sophomore from Millersville, admitted she needed a knock on her door by her resident adviser, but like the rest of the students was too excited to sleep on the bus ride.

"I got ready in two minutes and ran down four flights of stairs," Stumme said. "I missed Pope John Paul (who came to Baltimore in 1995), and I know this might be my one chance to have this kind of cool experience."

Along with the students attending the mass, people affiliated with Mount St. Mary's University played several roles in the ceremony.

Eight seminarians from the Mount served at the papal mass, with seminarian David Wells holding the Sacramentary for the pope as he read the opening and closing prayer. Seminarian John Gallagher served as cross bearer for the procession and recession.

Benedict's visit also recalled a personal connection the university has with the Holy Father.

Mount St. Mary's Msgr. Stuart Swetland worked as a deacon for a summer with the pope in Rome when he was known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Swetland said the pontiff is a man of "profound prayer," who would often sneak away to pray when everyone else was taking a coffee break.

"A very gracious and learned man," Swetland said. "He went out of his way to make me feel welcome."

Swetland said that when a pope comes to America, it's important to remember that he comes as a pastor, celebrating mass with Catholics, and instructing them on how to live and love fully in Christ.

He added that the students were excited about their opportunity to celebrate with the pope "as a sign of unity with the Church and as a statement of their faith."

"It's feels like I'm going to church not a ballpark," said freshman Kathryn Cohagan, a graduate of Mount De Sales Academy in Catonsville. "It's even more exciting because it's an outdoor stadium and it's just a beautiful day to be outside."

Benedict's homily touched on several themes, including the history of the U.S., its relationship with Catholic Church and the Christian message of redemption and hope. He also acknowledged the church's sexual abuse scandal that has plagued dioceses across the country.

"Americans have always been a people of hope: your ancestors came to this country with the expectation of finding new freedom and opportunity ... hope, hope for the future, is very much a part of the American character," he said.

Later he said no words could describe the pain and harm inflicted by sexual abuse.

"Today, I encourage each of you to do what you can to foster healing and reconciliation, and to assist those who have been hurt," he said.

Cindy Kokoski, from the Mount's Office of Catholic Identity, chaperoned the trip with JoAnn Garcia of the campus ministry office and Rita Beard from the communications office. Kokoski the student leaders receiving tickets for the trip were selected from the Campus Ministry, Student Government Association and the President's Office.

Kevin Abdo, a chaplain's assistant, said he found out he been selected for the trip three weeks ago and had been looking forward to it since, mentioning that his father had seen Pope John Paul II.

"It's an incredible experience," he said. "I think the highlight was just seeing him come into the stadium in the popemobile and watching him right until he got out."

Jon Pressimone and Shawn Moran, senior theology majors from Charlotte, N.C. and Lindenhurst, N.J., respectively, said the trip was an affirmation of their faith.

"I was brought up learning the traditions of the Church and what it means to be Catholic," Moran said. "It's so inspiring to be here with thousands of other people who feel the way I do about my faith."

Pressimone said it was also inspiring for him to be inside a stadium filled with people who feel the way he does.

"Faith has to be more than words and practice," he said. "There has to be spirituality behind it and I have felt that, too. I felt that today."