Today, we remember when our country endured the horrific terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. This anniversary is never an easy day, but we commemorate and pray for the souls of those who lost their lives. We pray for the victims’ families and friends. We also pray for and thank the heroes who risked their lives to save others, and those who helped with relief and recovery efforts.
Fr. Willy Raymond, the President of Holy Cross Family Ministries, posted a moving story today about one priest’s heroic actions on one of the crashed planes:
Here’s the story:
The text of the tweet reads, “9.11 – On this day I recall Father #Frank Grogan, C.S.C, {RIP} who was on board the second plane to crash into the Towers, a crash millions watched on TV not knowing who was aboard. Calls from the plane said he was praying with & forgiving sins, right up to the moment of impact.”
Wow! That is just incredible. It sounds like Father Frank Grogan was a hero! He saved souls right up until his death, even in a time of panic!
Here’s a few more posts you may find moving:
Fr. Goyo Hidalgo remembered Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M., a Franciscan Friar who served as the New York City Fire Department’s Chaplain. was the first recorded terrorist attack victim.
The text reads, “Fr. Mychal Judge, victim 0001 in 9/11. ‘Lord, take me where you want me to go. Let me meet who you want me to meet. Tell me what you want me to say, and keep me out of your way.’ #911Day #911Memorial #911Anniversary #september11”
Another heartbreaking memory comes from Human Life Action. Here’s the tweet:
The tweet reads, “Please take a moment to remember every person, including pregnant mothers and their preborn children, who died on this date 17 years ago. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. #NeverForget #September11th”
Other accounts posted prayers and photos of those praying in remembrance of the attacks:
The Catholic News Service posted a photo of firefighters praying during Mass.
Posted by Catholic News Service, the tweet reads, “Firefighters prayer during a #September11th Mass at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral in @BrooklynDiocese (CNS photo from @ewilkinson_ed of @TabletNewspaper) #NeverForget
The Daughters of St. Paul posted a photo of one of their sisters praying at the World Trade Center Memorial.
The full text of the tweet reads, “Sr Margaret Michael prays at the World Trade Center Memorial during our Contemplative Walk through New York in June…in all of our communities we are praying for our country today #September11th #NeverForget”
Fr. Peter Wojcik, the Director of the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission at Archdiocese of Chicago, posted the Prayer of St. Francis in memory of the attacks.
The tweet reads, “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” #911Neverforget”
The Knights of Columbus tweeted text and a video in memory of the attacks, which commemorated the lives of those lost, those who risked their lives to save others, and those who helped in the “rescue and recovery efforts.”
The tweet reads, “We remember ALL of the brother Knights who lost their lives on #Sept. 11. We will #NeverForget members of our Knights family”.
You can watch the full Knights’ video below:
#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/RkaHBxt5Qz
— Knights of Columbus (@KofC) September 11, 2018
(If you cannot view the video above, click here.)
As Saint John Paul II said to the General Audience on Sept. 12, 2001, “I ask God to grant the American people the strength and courage they need at this time of sorrow and trial.”
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States, Pray for Us!
[See also: “It’s Only Going to Get Worse”: Exorcist Unmasks the Demonic Forces in the Church Sex Abuse Crisis]
[See also: The “Ground Zero Bible” Miracle? What a 9/11 Fireman Found Burned into Steel]