Catholic Social Tips
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the terror attack on our country known simply as “9/11” — a series of attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, that killed thousands of people in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
The events happened nearly 5,000 miles away. Yet there was a deep connection to what transpired at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and the phrase “Second Pearl Harbor” reverberated as the news spread across the islands. (Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor marks its 85th anniversary this year.)
The Sept. 11 attack was a time when everyone was embraced as American and gathered in collective mourning over the loss of so many lives, nine of whom had connections to the islands: Georgine Corrigan, Heather Ho, Maile Hale, Richard Lee, Christine Snyder, Michael Collins, Richard Keane, Patricia Colodner, and David Laychak.
The Diocese of Honolulu responded immediately as stranded visitors poured into churches to pray and find peace amid the fear and uncertainty. Both St. Augustine Church in Waikiki and the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu became shelters, providing food, housing and spiritual counsel in the days following the attacks.
While the mainland saw a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment, there was a movement of interfaith services coordinated to promote solidarity for all faith traditions in Hawaii.
Every year we remember the event and those who died. As Catholics, our Masses on this day will include prayers of the faithful in remembrance of the anniversary. “Blue Masses” are also scheduled to honor first responders, dispatchers and 911 operators. The eternal flame outside Honolulu Hale will glow blue at sunset.
The trauma of 9/11 reminded us of our radical vulnerability, but the island church answered with grace, proving that even at the edge of the map, faith anchored in love can bridge any distance, offering sanctuary when the world outside loses its way.
While we remember the devastation of this day 25 years ago, we find ourselves as a nation at war again. Let us invoke prayers for peace and reconciliation; here is one penned by St. John Paul II:
“Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, who are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said, ‘Peace to you,’ grant us peace. Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace. Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace. May all peoples on the earth become as brothers and sisters. May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.”
You may also light a candle in church for peace, offer a holy hour of adoration for peace or pray a decade of the rosary for peace on this day, in the hope that there will be peace on earth someday.
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media consultant based in Southern California.