Catholic and American leaders pray on the 24th anniversary of September 11

On the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, Catholic and American leaders offered prayers and paid tribute to those who lost their lives that day and all those who are still suffering.

“Today we remember on September 11, 2001,” wrote Cardinal Timothy Dolan, of the Archdiocese of New York, in a Joint publication on social networks. “We continue to pray for the souls that were lost that day, the families that still cry, the heroes that served and all those who since then have died due to diseases related to the 11-S or that continue to suffer.”

Cardinal Dolan shared a special sentence for the anniversary:

“Lord, on September 11, we remember all who died 24 years ago in our city and throughout the country. We keep in the heart those who still load with the loss and pain of that day. He grants eternal rest to the deceased, strength to survivors and their families, and protection to the lifeguards and all those who serve our communities with value and delivery. Lord God, continue to ensure our country and our country compassion and peace.

For its part, the United States Catholic Bishop Conference (USCCB) also published in X a prayer In memory of the attack:

“God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guide when facing such terrible facts. He grants that those whose lives were saved live so that the lost lives here have not been in vain. Consuélos, strengthen us in hope and give us wisdom and value to work tirelessly by a world where they reign the true peace and love between nations all hearts. ”

American leaders also commemorated the date and paid tribute to the victims.
President Donald Trump and the first lady Melania Trump attended an act in the Pentagon, in Virginia on Thursday morning, where prayers were offered by all victims, lifeguards, who still suffer and the active members of the US army.

“To every family member who still feels a vacuum every day of his life, the first lady and I joined you in pain. And today, as a single nation, we renew our sacred oath that we will never forget September 11, 2001,” Trump said at the event.

The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, also intervened, asking those present to honor the memory of the victims and recognize “the decades of courage they followed” to the attack.

“We gathered to pay tribute to the lifeguards who ran to the flames and climbed the stairs, to whom trapped in the planes fought their last battle, and the families whose lives were forever marked by that fateful day,” said Hegseth.

“I thank God for all of you and for all our combatants, from that day to today and from now on. God bless our warriors while looking tirelessly to enemies on behalf of their fellow citizens, whom they love deeply,” he added.

Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.