A chaplain with the New York City fire department delivered a moving prayer in front of a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center’s South Tower following the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001. The beam has been placed in front of the White House to solemnly commemorate the horrific attack twenty-five years ago, and has been traveling longer as a display as part of the Tunnel To Towers Foundation ‘Steel Across America’ tour.
“Let us remind ourselves that God is in our presence. Almighty God, today as we stand in the presence of this steel from the World Trade Center, we pause to remember,” FDNY Chaplain Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello began in his prayer. “Twenty-five years have passed, but we have not forgotten. We remember the innocent men, women, and children whose lives were taken by an evil that sought to divide, destroy, and spread hatred.”
“And we remember the heroes who ran toward that evil: our fighter fighters, our police officers, our paramedics and EMTs, our first responders, our military, and all who came to the aid of their fellow Americans-many gave their lives that day, and for the 1000s of others, their sacrifice continued long after September 11th. They became sick from the toxic air and conditions in which they served. Some have died in the years since. Others continue to fight illness today. Lord, we ask you to bless them, their families, and every family who still carries the pain of that day, but Lord, let this steal remind us something else,” he continued.
“Let it remind us not only of September 11th, but of September 12th, because on September 12th, something extraordinary happened. America and much of the world came together. People reached across differences. Strangers embraced. Neighbors helped neighbors. People of different faiths, races, and backgrounds, and political beliefs stood together, because for a moment, we understood what matters most? We are human beings first. Lord, help us to remember that lesson,” he went on.
“Evil tells us to hate one another. Evil tells us that some lives matter less than others. Evil divides, but love unites. Compassion heals. Courage protects, and respect for every human being gives dignity to our world. May this beam of steel, which once stood amid destruction, now stand as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, unity, and hope. May we never forget those we lost. May we never forget those who became sick, and may we never forget the heroes who served,” he added.
“And may we never forget what we learned on September 12th-that when people come together, when we respect the dignity of every human being, evil does not have the final word. God bless the fallen. God bless our first responders. God bless their families, and God bless the United States of America. Lord, we now ask you to bless this beam. Once part of a structure that fell now becomes a structure of memory, a foundation upon which we build something stronger,” he boldly stated.
“Let it symbolize courage, sacrifice, unity, and hope. Let every mark upon this steel remind us of a life, a soul, a human person. Let every bend remind us of courage. Let every inch of it remind us that from the greatest darkness, people can choose to bring forth light. God help us to remember not only what evil did on September 11th, but what humanity did on September 12th, and remind us that evil can bend steel, but cannot bend the human spirit, and that hatred can take lives, but it cannot extinguish love. And Lord, may this piece of steel encourage us to live the words: Help us do good. Amen,” he finished.
Watch that prayer below:
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video