Prayer of Remembrance for 9/11

Lord of Mercy, Prince of Peace,

This day does not pass in the calendar without our remembering.

We remember images of death and destruction. Images that human eyes were never meant to see. We remember words our ears were never meant to hear, the tender last words of husbands and wives who would never embrace again.

We imagine the feeling of emptiness in the arms of children who at the end of the day could not find mom or dad for their welcome home hug. We remember our own feelings of emptiness as our sense of security, as our own confidence in the predictable order of life and work was radically shaken.

We remember the heroism of the many that lost their lives in saving others. We remember all those who suffered and died, we grieve for them still, friends and strangers alike, along with their families and friends.

And it is right that it should not pass from our memory. But today and in this prayer, along with our remembrance of profound loss, it also seems right that we give voice to our deep longing for peace, and with this prayer, commit ourselves to those actions that will draw us closer to our most ancient and most holy desire, peace among all God’s children.

Lord, grant us peace. 
Amen.

 

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We also remember today as the day the Quad was poured in 2001 and the day the Mother of Our Savior Chapel was dedicated in 2015.

 

Father in heaven, source of holiness and true purpose, it is right that we praise and glorify your name. 

For soon, we will come before you, to dedicate to your lasting service a new house of prayer, a temple of worship, a home in which we will be nourished by your word and your sacraments. 

Here is reflected the mystery of the Church. The Church is fruitful, made holy by the blood of Christ: a bride made radiant with his glory, a virgin splendid in the wholeness of her faith, a mother blessed through the power of the Spirit.

 

Lord,

May your children, gathered around your altar,

celebrate the memorial of the Paschal Lamb, and be fed at the table of Christ’s word and Christ’s body. 

May prayer resound through heaven

and earth as a plea for the world’s salvation. 

May the poor find justice, the victims of oppression, true freedom.

May the whole world clothed in the dignity of the children of God, enter with gladness into your city of peace.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.