911 Memorial WTC

This weekend, I went into Manhattan and visited the 911 Memorial. It was such a moving experience being there. I thought back to that day and was struck again by the number of people who died and the way it changed may people's lives.

On September 11, 2001, I was teaching fourth grade at St. Philip Neri in the Bronx and that day we had many parents (especially dads) come into the school to kiss their children and ask us to care for them till another caregivers came. Many of these parents were first responders: police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians. These parents were running into the danger while others were running to get away from the danger. I admire first responders and thank God for them every day. I believe those jobs are real true calls of service.

The 911 Memorial's pools are very peaceful with the running water. Names are all engraved around both the South and North Pools. I was able to find a few of the people that I knew or have connections to such as Damian Meehan, Brendan Dolan, Dennis McHugh, Stephen Driscoll and Luke Nee. I prayed for all families affected and asked God and the people who died to watch over our world.

There were many people at the memorial from all ages and cultural backgrounds. All were walking around respectfully and quietly. I was so struck by the fact that 911 affected so many people around the world.

Peace is so needed in our world.

I pray that I can be an instrument of peace as suggested by the Peace Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Angela was a Franciscan Tertiary. I believe she is praying this prayer along with me today and every day.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu