When Father Frank Mann looked out at the congregation during a Mass for White House staff on April 1, he was stunned to realize it was mostly young people.

“In my 47 years as a priest, I’ve never celebrated Mass for a congregation like that. It was extraordinary to see that many young people,” Father Mann told The Tablet, noting that he was “inspired and uplifted” by their participation. “It was really, really special.”

Father Mann is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. President Donald Trump not only asked him to celebrate Mass for the White House staff but also invited him to the White House’s Easter Luncheon earlier in the day.

Father Mann has a years long relationship with Trump, which developed after the president learned that he was caring for the gravesite of his family members. Last year, Trump invited Father Mann to the 2025 White House Easter Prayer Dinner, and he also gave the benediction at the presidential inauguration.

“It’s very exciting,” Father Mann said of this year’s invitation. “The cherry on the cake was getting asked to celebrate Mass. That, I couldn’t believe. It was very surreal to be asked.”

The Mass was celebrated at 5 p.m. in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s Indian Treaty Room. While Father Mann said he doesn’t know the exact number of people who attended, he described the room as “super large and jam-packed.”

“I was overwhelmed by the participation and the sense of devotion,” Father Mann said. “It was very inspirational. There was a great sense of reverence in that room.”

As for the luncheon, Father Mann said he was seated about three arm’s length away from Vice President JD Vance. Most of the people at the Luncheon were Evangelical, Father Mann said. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, well known for his Word on Fire ministry, was among those who said prayers.

Trump, although he didn’t stay for lunch, gave a wide-ranging address to the room. He spoke on Holy Week, calling Easter “one of the (most) incredible days in all of history.”

“Because of the events of Holy Week 20 centuries ago, people of every nation, language, and background can take on any difficulty, press through any trial, and endure any hardship,” Trump said. “With Christ, not one thing can separate humanity from the power of God’s everlasting love.”

Father Mann said the president’s comments on Holy Week were extraordinary.

“I think it’s inspirational. I think it’s very touching when he talks about (faith),” Father Mann said. “It was beautiful. I think it was the highlight of his talk. I like it when he gets into Holy Week because it’s very special.”