Remembering the one. Remembering them all.
Today, our nation and the world will mark the passage of two decades since the day that changed our lives forever. The Cathedral of Saint Peter commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a memorial bell toll, commencing at 8:46 a.m., the time at which American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into 1 World Trade Center in New York City, NY. The toll concluded at 10:03 a.m., the time at which Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, PA.
A portion of the bell toll is available on the Cathedral's Facebook page.
Monsignor Rupert, Pastor of the Cathedral Parish states: "As we commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, it is a time for remembrance, renewal, and hope.
We reverently recall those who were most directly affected by this tragedy—those who died, were injured, or lost loved ones. In a special way, we recall the selfless first responders—firefighters, police, chaplains, emergency workers, and other brave persons—who risked, and many times lost, their lives in their courageous and selfless efforts to save others.
On this day most especially, let us reflect on God’s gracious gifts of love and mercy. Nurture hope, take time to understand and appreciate others, and focus on the positives of each person you encounter. Be a sign of hope for those around you. These small acts will help point our country and world on the course to a better day, much like the countless heroes who answered the call to serve neighbors and strangers on one of our nation’s worst days.
May we always show true gratitude for those who lost their lives and remember them and their families in our prayers."
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Let us make our own the prayer of Pope Benedict XVI when he visited Ground Zero in New York in 2008: O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here— the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness. Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth. Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.