Surely one of the most spiritually and visually powerful moments of the papal visit will be Benedict's stop at Ground Zero on Sunday morning, April 20, the final day of the visit. The pontiff will not give an address, but will be led to the site by Cardinal Edward Egan and will kneel for a few moments of silent prayer. He will then light a candle brought to him by an employee of the Port Authority. Here is the text of a special prayer composed for the event, according to the official missal for the trip release by the Vatican:
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths
and traditions, who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here—
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and
Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives
with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
At the conclusion of the prayer, the pope will be given an aspergillum and will bless the ground in all four directions.
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As a Christian who is not a Roman Catholic and whose church
interacts with all faiths at all times, I welcome the omission. So does Jesus.
To make others feel at home in your prayer, the Pope has done the world a
service in showing that even the head of a great religion can speak ecumenically.
What you see as a failing, Blather From Brooklyn, is a virtue. Love your name.
Who gave it to you? God?
I think this prayer is significant of a new beginning for all, and especially for those who understand the significance of suffering and healing. GOD is good! Let us keep hope alive for our country and the world.
What is the point of praying if the truth behind 911 is never be made public? Who was behind 911 in the first place? The Pope can visit Ground Zero, not to mention how the word "ground zero" came into being in the first place? And eight Jesuits surfaced at "ground zero" at Hiroshima after the blast, and Fr Adruppe was 4 km away from "ground zero". I think the Vatican people are the Ground Zero People, no wonder the Pope loves to visit the very point his subordinates have their hands on. God job Benedict, God Knows It All! This world is yours, Jesus's Kingdom is not of this world, his is in the Heaven. I love Jesus, but never the Pope and RCC.
Let us all be in front of God Al Mighty, with Jesus as witness, so say the truth all of you then, but not now. For now, most of the world are LYING!
The prayer as offered by the Pope shows one of the biggest problems of the church at this time, their lack of adherance or familiarity with bible principles. John 15:16 and also John 16:23,24 clearly show that all prayer is to be directed through God's son, Jesus Christ.
In the prayer that includes the message
"Thy Kingdom come they will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Jesus is not mentioned either.
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Perhaps for those of us who love God and pray for peace understand that Jesus is already there.
If you don't then it's just not your time.
Beware of your self righteousness and judgement.
It's ironic your name is Angel.
Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims all believe in angels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel