Prayer For the Fallen

Four years have elapsed and it seems the events of September 11, 2001 in New York are still fresh in our collective memory. I pray to our loving Father in heaven that the immediate victims' families and friends find consolation in the loving people around them, and that all those souls find eternal peace and happiness in his company. Although it occurred in the U.S., the crime was against the entire human race; least that we can do is not forget the incident. Surely the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be judged severely in the afterlife, but all, especially the state should give firm justice as soon as possible to at least offer closure to this dark day in recent history. Those behind this crime should be hunted down wherever they hide and placed behind bars for life!

These mind-less terrorists considered that attack as their trophy of success. Since then several terrorist attacks were perpetrated throughout the world by these agents of evil. And what's putting more anguish among all peace-loving people is their doing it for their religion, for Islam, for Allah. It's unthinkable to murder innocent people in the name of God! Several Muslims voiced their protests, claiming Islam is against terrorism. I just hope they won't get any sanctuary anywhere.

Just a few days ago, hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf states of the U.S. and hundreds died and thousands displaced from their flooded homes. The relief is slow in coming but it will surely come sooner of later. As with the other victims of man-made disasters, we pray for the repose of their souls and the consolation of those left behind.

Many pundits and relief workers compared the devastation to that of 9/11, in terms of scope of the involved area and the suffering it produced. But the big difference is that 9/11 was man-made; natural disasters are more easily accepted. But as is always said, life must go on. We pray for our fallen brothers and sisters...

From the Prayer of Commendation (Order of Christian Funerals):

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the name of God the almighty Father,
who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God,
who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who was poured out upon you.
Go forth, faithful Christian!
May you live in peace this day,
may your home be with God in Zion,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph, and all the angels and saints...

May you return to your Creator
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life...
May you see your Redeemer face to face...(CCC 1020)