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Last midnight mass at 9/11 site
25/12/2007 09:33 - (SA)
New York - The first midnight mass at the site of the destroyed World Trade Centre was held while workers were still clearing away the debris and recovering bodies from the September 11 terrorist attack.
The last mass was planned for Monday night, giving police, firefighters, ground zero workers, and families of the victims a final chance for a Christmas Eve prayer at the site, where increasing construction is taking up more space.
"We're trying to bring closure tonight for the last six years," said the Reverend Brian Jordan, a chaplain who spent 10 months at ground zero after the attacks and has presided over every midnight mass there since.
"It's time to move on. It's time for us to rebuild, not just for the site, but also to rebuild our spiritual lives."
More than 150 people attended the first mass in 2001, while thousands of workers were still removing the towers' debris and searching for bodies. "One hour before, we found the body of a fireman," Jordan said.
Since then, families of victims have come to the site every year and said a prayer for their loved ones. Several police commanders and firefighters have never missed a year. Jordan said he expected about 75 people to attend Monday's mass. Dedicated to police chaplain
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site, has moved the service from one part of the site to another, depending on construction activities. Officials hope to open five office towers, a transit hub and a 9/11 memorial there in the next five years.
Jordan was to hold a chalice dedicated to the memory of Mychal Judge, a police chaplain who was killed while performing last rites on other victims' bodies outside the trade centre.
"It's just the holiest night of the year," said Jordan, "and this is sacred ground".
- AP
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