Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui
vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei,
requiescant in pace. Amen.
Tag: 9/11
Lorenzo Albacete on 9/11
Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete was interviewed by PBS’s Frontline on the 9/11 tragedy.
That phrase: “I saw death” is a startling thought. What does one really see? The interview is interesting as it tries to deal with facing good and evil, not only in the ad extra but also ad intra, and the worship of the true God.
Monsignor Albacete’s interview is part of the larger project called Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero.
Pope Benedict’s prayer for the 9/11
Here’s the prayer of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on visit to the Ground Zero memorial on 20 April 2008. It is the best prayer to the God of consolation that I know of. I offer it to you for your prayerful solidarity today.
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.
Pope writes to Americans on the 9/11 anniversary
To my Venerable Brother
The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
On this day my thoughts turn to the somber events of September 11, 2001, when so many innocent lives were lost in the brutal assault on the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the further attacks in Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. I join you in commending the thousands of victims to the infinite mercy of Almighty God and in asking our heavenly Father to continue to console those who mourn the loss of loved ones.
The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrators’ claim to be acting in God’s name. Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism. Every human life is precious in God’s sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals and peoples everywhere.
The American people are to be commended for the courage and generosity that they showed in the rescue operations and for their resilience in moving forward with hope and confidence. It is my fervent prayer that a firm commitment to justice and a global culture of solidarity will help rid the world of the grievances that so often give rise to acts of violence and will create the conditions for greater peace and prosperity, offering a brighter and more secure future.
With these sentiments, I extend my most affectionate greetings to you, your brother Bishops and all those entrusted to your pastoral care, and I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and serenity in the Lord.
From the Vatican, September 11, 2011
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
Firefighters’ Names Endure in St. Patrick’s Towers
David W. Dunlap of the NY Times wrote a piece earlier today, “Firefighters’ Names Endure in St. Patrick’s Towers,” talking about the legacy of the firefighters in the iconic St Patrick’s Cathedral. The article is a nice remembrance of those who inscribed their names following the 9/11 tradegy. Thanks to Msgr. Robert Ritchie and others who are committed to keeping the graffiti intact.
The slide show is worth looking at.
Vatican Press Office Director speaks on bin Laden
The Vatican Press Office Director Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi’s
responded to journalists’ questions on yesterday’s killing of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Father Lombardi stated:
Osama bin
Laden – as we all know – was gravely responsible for promoting division and
hatred between peoples, causing the death of countless innocent lives, and of
exploiting religions to this end.
Laden – as we all know – was gravely responsible for promoting division and
hatred between peoples, causing the death of countless innocent lives, and of
exploiting religions to this end.
Faced with the death of a man, a Christian
never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every
one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no
event be an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace.
never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every
one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no
event be an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace.
Let us remember before the Throne of Grace all those who have died on 9/11 and those who continue to suffer from the effects of this attack.
September 11: in prayerful remembrance 8 years later
We mark the 8th anniversary of 9/11 today. And so we pray,
Almighty and merciful God, in your forgiving love look upon our sufferings. Lighten your children’s burden and strengthen their faith in such a way that they may always trust unhesitatingly in your fatherly providence.