The 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is a time to “pause to remember the thousands of people whose lives were lost and their families who still grieve,” and also an opportunity to “recall the extraordinary dedication of first responders and even ordinary citizens,” Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory said at a Mass marking the anniversary.

The cardinal was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Sept. 11, 2021 Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. to mark the anniversary of the attacks two decades ago. Those in attendance at the Mass socially distanced, and the liturgy was livestreamed via the Internet 

Cardinal Gregory said that as the milestone anniversary is being observed, “sorrow must not be the only emotion that touches our hearts today. We are also called to remember the strength of our nation that was so evident that day, and in the days and weeks that followed.”

On Sept 11, 2001, a total of 19 militants connected to the extremist Al Qaeda group hijacked four airplanes in a suicide attack against targets in the United States.

At 8:46 a.m. that day, hijackers commandeered American Airlines Flight 11, slamming it into north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Seventeen minutes later, hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 flew into the south tower. More than 2,720 people were killed in those two incidents.

At 9:37 a.m., hijackers took control of American Airlines Flight 77, and flew it into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. More than half the passengers on the plane were children going on a school field trip, and a total of 189 people were killed.

At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked and believed to be aimed toward hitting the White House or the U.S. Capitol. Passengers on board attempted to overtake the hijackers, and the plane was crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Forty-four people were killed.

The four hijackings on Sept. 11, 2001 killed a total of nearly 3,000 people, making it the deadliest attack on U.S. soil since the Dec. 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor.

“The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is not simply a moment for deep national mourning, but it is also simultaneously a time for deep hope and pride in the courage and the strength of our nation in the face of such a tragic event,” the cardinal said.

Cardinal Gregory said that even though two decades have passed since the attacks, “we can now see, 20 years later, those images of destruction, and we can recall what we may have been doing and how we may continue to feel about that terrible tragedy that stunned our nation.”

At the beginning of the Mass, Father Andrew Wakefield, pastor of St. Patrick Parish, also noted the anniversary saying, “it is hard to believe we are 20 years removed from that day when the world changed.”

“As we saw the very worst of humanity that day, we also saw the very best of humanity” in how first responders and others raced to assist those harmed in the attacks, he said.

The Memorial Mass at St. Patrick’s was organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), a 185-year-old Irish Catholic fraternal organization, and the Ladies’ AOH. Father Wakefield said “we honor and remember those who perished that day … we honor the fallen members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Lady Ancient Order of Hibernians who died that day.”

During the Mass, prayers were offered for “God’s mercy on those we honor today,” for peace in the world, for an end to war and terrorism, and for the safety of military personnel, police, firefighters and first responders.

At the end of the Mass, Orla Keane, Ireland’s deputy ambassador to the United States, read the names of those of Irish descent who were killed on 9/11. “Their lives are remembered, and their loss is deeply felt,” she said before reading the names. Several minutes of silence followed the reading of the names.

In his homily, Cardinal Gregory also honored those of Irish descent and members of the AOH who perished in the terrorist attacks.

“As the members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians help us prayerfully to remember that dreadful event today, they also recall the Irish Claddagh rings that were found in great number at the sites of those attacks and are very touching memorials for all of us,” Cardinal Gregory said. “These delicate Celtic rings that would ordinarily not have been able to endure the searing heat of the flames remain for many people the rich symbols of friendship, love, and loyalty that those rings embody.”

He said that the Claddagh rings found among the rubble at the wreckage sites “symbolize the enduring grace of those virtues that are so much in need today as our nation pauses to recall the events of those alarming moments 20 years ago.”

“We all will see forever in the smoldering flames that engulfed the World Trade Towers what sorrow 9/11 had and still captures for our entire nation and indeed for the world,” the cardinal said. “There are many mementoes of that tragedy that are both personal and national in scope – parts of the fallen buildings, pieces of uniforms – buttons and badges, and of course those individual items that hold special meaning for families and loved ones.”

Cardinal Gregory also said that the camaraderie and connectedness among Americans after the attacks should continue to be evident today.

“The spirit of bravery and unity that followed upon 9/11 are a source of honor for the people of this great land,” he said. “We could use those very same virtues today as we continue to face other moments of challenge. However, as we meet today’s challenges, no matter how great they might be, so long as we do so together, united in mind, in heart and in spirit, we will be triumphant.”

Text of Cardinal Gregory’s homily at 9/11 Memorial Mass