Mass of the Holy Spirit Closing RemarksCardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington and Chancellor of The Catholic University of AmericaGreat Upper Church, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate ConceptionSept. 1, 2011
As we conclude this liturgy for the opening of the academic year, we are very much aware that in a few days we will commemorate the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Most of us will long remember where we were ten years ago when we received word of the terrible acts that brought so much death to New York City; Somerset County, Pennsylvania; and of course our own hometown, Washington, D.C. Some actions are so horrendous that they outstrip our vocabulary's ability to express them. Yet our memory holds the moment forever in high profile.
I was here in Washington together with fifty other bishops from around the United States as the Administrative Committee of our Conference of Bishops met. At the news of the attack, we adjourned and did what the Church does in moments such as that - the only thing the Church can do. We prayed. We walked from our conference building to this Basilica of the National Shrine where we all joined in the celebration of the Eucharist.
We were not alone. This basilica was filled. Thousands of students gathered at the Mass. I like to think that we responded out of the wisdom we learned on this campus.
On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our thoughts turn to those events and as we did then we also do now - we offer our prayers for those who died, were injured or lost loved ones. The commemoration provides us a time, as well, to stand with all of the people of our country and around the world who were affected by this violence.
This 9/11 commemoration can be a time both of remembrance of what has happened and of recommitment to the vision and Gospel of Christ. Light can win out over darkness, truth will triumph over falsehood, love does conquer hatred.
As the heralds of that message, this commemoration can provide us an occasion to renew our firm faith commitment that we never lose faith that God remains with us, that God can bring good out of evil and that we, in turn, are called to a human solidarity that reflects God's love for all of us.
The 9/11 commemoration can be a time to renew in our own hearts, even in the face of such evil, that Jesus reminds us there is another way.