 | | | Pope Benedict XVI blesses the site of the destroyed World Trade Center towers in New York April 20. He spoke with family member of some of the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks and with those who were first responders to the disaster. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) | |
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NEW YORK
(CNS) --
Here is the text of the prayer Pope Benedict XVI offered during a visit to ground zero in New York on April 20.O God of love, compassion and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here --
the heroic first responders:
our firefighters, police officers,
emergency service workers and Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on Sept. 11, 2001.
We ask you in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who because of their presence here that day
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
CD
04/20/2008 10:23 AM ET
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
