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The President of the University of Scranton, Reverend Joseph Marina, SJ sent the following reflection on the 20th anniversary of September 11 to the university and the alumni community on September 10, 2021.
In the Chapel of the Madonna della Strada, on a wall next to the main entrance, a plaque is dedicated to the loving memory of the members of the university family who lost their lives on September 11. In sacred space, this plaque gently and deeply reminds us of the direct tragic impact this day has had on our community – an impact shared by countless other communities across the country.
For many of our students, they learned during the day as they grew up. Others of us vividly remember where we were on that fateful morning in 2001, as we watched the unthinkable unfold before our eyes. Fear, shock, sadness and worry filled our hearts as we prayed for those caught up in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and for the safety of the brave first responders who put themselves in danger to save them. . We later mourned the loss of air passengers in a field in Shanksville, Pa. Who sacrificed themselves to save others.
Over the days, we have discovered ways in which each of us has been directly or indirectly affected by the loss. The university community has learned that five former students perished on September 11, along with dozens of others with close family ties to our community.
In the months and years that followed, we sought to understand and made efforts to remember our lost loved ones. We have built memorials to recount events we have sworn never to forget. And, we moved on with our lives, rebuilding as we remembered.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of September 11, let us remember in memory and prayer our faithful alumni, family and friends who lost their lives on this tragic day. Pray for peace and understanding in a world still filled with turmoil. Pray also for our students today and for the teachers and staff who educate and serve them. May they go to the world as a voice calling for peace and justice and change the world for the good of all.
Let me close by quoting a message from September 2001 from my predecessor, Reverend Joseph M. McShane, SJ, the 23rd President of the University, who provided such competent and pastoral leadership during this crisis:
“As a community of faith, we also pray – and pray fervently – that God our Lord will strengthen us in this time of pain so that, guided by his wisdom, we can build a world in which the reign of love will overcome hatred, mistrust and violence.
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