09/11/2026
Litany of Remembrance......taken from a service we had here at St. Paul's, in 2006.
On this day we remember the 2,996 confirmed dead, and the 1,116 missing, as a result of the September 11 attacks. Most bodies were never found, presumably because the heat of the fires incinerated them. You alone, O Lord, know their names.
On this day we remember the passengers and crew of American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767, wide-body aircraft that was purposely crashed into the north side of the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time.
On this day we remember the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 175, a Boeing 767, that was purposely crashed into the South Tower at 9:03 AM, an event covered live by television broadcasters from around the world who had their cameras trained on the buildings after the earlier crash.
On this day we remember hundreds of innocent office workers, and service employees who were killed at the moment of impact, and in the hours following the attack as they sought to flee the burning buildings.
On this day we remember the estimated 200 people who were forced to jump to their deaths from the burning towers in an attempt to escape the intense flames and lethal smoke.
On this day we remember the passengers and crew of American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757, that was purposely crashed into the Pentagon at 9:38 AM.
On this day we remember the Department of Defense civilian workers and the members of the American Armed Forces who were killed in the Pentagon attack.
On this day we remember the heroic passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757, who with the cry of “Let's roll!” fearlessly fought their hijackers resulting in their plunge into a lonely field in southwest Pennsylvania just outside of Shanksville at 10:03 AM.
On this day we remember the more than 400 rescue workers--including 343 FDNY firefighters and paramedics--who answered the call and who died selflessly and heroically serving the public when the towers collapsed.
On this day we remember police officers and public officials who died selflessly and heroically serving the public when the towers collapsed.
On this day we remember the heroism of individual firefighters, police, nurses, doctors, clergy, and so many ordinary citizens who gave of themselves for others.
On this day we remember the rescue workers, steel workers, construction and the clean-up crews who worked until May 2002 recovering bodies and body parts.
We pray for comfort and healing for the heroic rescue workers who after working in unspeakable conditions breathing in hundreds of tons of asbestos dust, pulverized concrete, and smoke continue to suffer with the after effects of this trauma. Ease their suffering and protect them from disease and sickness.
We pray for the members of the law enforcement community and of the American Armed Forces who for the past five years have been engaged in the War on Terrorism. We thank them for their service to protect us from this cruel and merciless enemy, and we pray that you will protect and guide them as they seek to bring justice and restore peace to the world.
On this day we remember the men and women of the American Armed Forces who have given the ultimate sacrifice in this War on Terrorism to protect our liberties and American values.
On this day we ask for continued courage and strength as we strive to meet the challenges of living in our post-9/11 world. Help us to be agents of peace, healing and harmony in this troubled and broken world.
Guide and inspire us and our leaders to make wise decisions for our future, for our homeland, and for our people. Keep us from self-righteousness, arrogant pride and prejudice. Unite us as we champion justice, peace, and freedom in our world.
God of all creation, faithful Provider of all our needs, to you we give our praises, our prayers and our thanksgivings on this day of remembrance. All honor and glory be yours, O God now and forever.
Amen.
