Pope Benedict XVI’s Visit to the USA, 2008 April 15-20

Prayer Service at Ground Zero, 2008 April 20

FROM: “Dan Frezza” <dan@frezza.org>

TO: <ASSISI-L@LISTSERV.ND.EDU>

DATE : 20 April 2008 10:25 [EDT]

SUBJECT:  Prayer Service at Ground Zero by our Holy Father, 2008 April 20

----- Original Message -----

From: "Dan Frezza" <dan@FREZZA.ORG>

To: <ASSISI-L@LISTSERV.ND.EDU>

Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 10:25 AM

Subject: Prayer Service at Ground Zero By Our Holy Father -- April 20, 2008

 Prayer Service at Ground Zero

 Arrival

 The Holy Father is escorted to the carpet by Cardinal Edward Egan.
 Silent Prayer and Candle Lighting

 The Holy Father kneels for a few moments of silent prayer. He then
 lights a candle brought to him by an employee of the Port Authority.

 Prayer

 The Holy Father:

 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 fire fighters, 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 September 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, Pennsylvania.
 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.


 At the conclusion of the prayer, the Holy Father is handed an aspergillum.

 He blesses the ground in all four directions.

 Solemn Blessing

 The Holy Father:

 The Lord be with you.
 R/. And also with you.

 May the Lord bless you and keep you.
 R/. Amen.

 May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
 R/. Amen.

 May he look upon you with kindness,
 and give you his peace.
 R/. Amen.

 May almighty God bless you,
 the X Father, and the X Son, and the X Holy Spirit.

 R/. Amen

 Liturgical Texts provided by the Vatican