The photo shows a part of a large tarpaulin on which people wrote messages and prayers. I wrote mine in Maltese, on the right side: 'Il-Bambin jiftakar fikom, u l-Maltin jitolbu għalikom.' (God will keep you in His arms, and the Maltese will pray for you.) I share with you today an article I wrote 20 years ago in my parish Bulletin, back at St Stanislaus Kostka parish in Pleasant Valley, NY:
It is truly heart-breaking following the events of September
11, 2001! All we can do right now is pray, as we follow the aftermath of the
catastrophic tragedy on TV. People have been crowding to our Churches, as
Friday the 14th is a National Day of Prayer and Mourning for the victims. The
rest of the world joined in solidarity and prayer, and the whole of the United
States is grateful for the world-wide support that we're receiving right now.
The heart-breaking stories we're hearing are truly incredible....like the man
from Fishkill who was buried but was able to get out alive, with minor
scratches. Or the young woman who called her husband in California frantically
just before she died, leaving simply a message "They bombed us. I'm going
to die. I love you always." Or the Fire Department Chaplain Fr Mychal
Judge OFM, who was administering last rites when he was hit by a falling body
and other debris. Or so many others who were writing E-mails or sending Instant
Messages while the planes crashed into their buildings.
Or the people who died on the planes, like the Priest from Massachusetts, who just
found a last-minute seat to go and see his sister in Los Angeles, only to die
half-an hour later. Or the three children with their teachers who had won a
National Geographic Competition and were experiencing part of their reward on
the plane.
The feelings of people here had changed from disbelief to shock on the first
day, from anger to numbness on Wednesday, from patriotism and prayer to unity
and collaboration today and in the weeks to come. In the midst of all this
chaos and darkness, we cannot give up hope. As the motto of the Christophers
says, "we have to light one candle instead of cursing the darkness."
We have to look for something positive, instead of criticizing how terrible
everything around us is. We have to look forward to continue to unite the
country and the world, not be divisive by searching for opportunity for
revenge.
May God continues to bless the generous and hardworking firefighters,
police-officers, volunteers and medical teams who are helping with the recovery
process, which could be very long, tiring and extremely discouraging.
May God give eternal rest to all the victims, and strength to their families
and loved ones. These are the new American Martyrs, or better yet, the New York
Martyrs, whose feast should be inserted in the Liturgical Calendar for
September 11th.
This link takes you to an article I wrote today in the Times of Malta, placed on line just a few minutes ago: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/i-served-in-new-york-in-2001-this-is-how-i-remember-911.899137
No comments:
Post a Comment