The names of victims scroll across a screen at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City Sept. 11, 2025, on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. (OSV News/Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
by Sr. Carrie Miller
Since Sept. 11, 2001, I find myself drawn to a time of prayer and reflection on the 11th of each month. I'm moved to silent reverence for the cherished lives lost, a moment of compassion for the hearts that are still broken; anger-in-honesty over hatred, terror, blindness, fear; and a moment of compassionate solidarity and prayer for all victims of violence and war.
In these moments of quiet, I can almost hear the resounding cries from across Mother Earth: the deafening cry of hatred and destruction from those who planned the attacks in the caves of Kabul in 2001, followed by the sounds of death from New York's Twin Towers, which became rubble burial caves for innocent people. Through closed eyes, I can see the saturated red soil, the lifeless bodies of human beings, and the debris of instruments of destruction.
My heart is moved by painful memories, and then to prayer. I can hear the unified cry from hearts across the nations, and the joining in prayer that all peoples and lands will be healed, lives set free, and peace become the reality of our world. There IS hope! Peace WILL come!
That quiet relief, however, is short-lived, broken by the echoes of the fresh death and destruction in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.
My heart cries out: God, when will we ever learn that war is not the answer? Enfold us in your love, transform our hearts, use our voices, let there be peace. Hear our prayer!
The Earth herself joins our voices as her land, water, flora and fauna are poisoned. Together, we plead to be heard, to be listened to by hearts of hope, who are moved to care and restore.
May we be blessed and never forget the tragedy that rocked our world on 9/11 … and all its echoes since then. May we be blessed to never forget the spirit that ceaselessly tries to unite and strengthen us as one human family and one world: grieving, healing, reconciling, praying and hoping together.
May we be blessed to be strong in our faith, trust, and hope to respond to the challenges before us and be part of the voice that swells for the voiceless; to be part of the united cry of people pleading on behalf of the suffering; that hearts be healed, bodies be mended, lives be freed of fear, and new strength be found to help peace and justice become the new reality for all people; that hardened hearts be transformed; and that hope, respect for differences while partnering, and peace through justice becomes and remains a stronghold for all.
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