Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Christopher Closeup

Home
Catholic
Religious Music & Entertainment
Dorothy Day, the San Francisco Earthquake and the Aftermath of 9/11

Dorothy Day, the San Francisco Earthquake and the Aftermath of 9/11

Last updated on: September 9, 2016 at 7:59 am by Tony Rossi

Dorothy Day, the San Francisco Earthquake and the Aftermath of 9/11 2016-09-09T07:59:54-05:00 Tony Rossi

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The major earthquake that shook San Francisco on April 18, 1906, was also felt in nearby Oakland where eight-year-old Dorothy Day had recently moved with her parents and siblings. When the ground finally stopped shaking, a frightened Day emerged from her home to see examples of both chaos and community: buildings swayed, small fires burned, and adults calmed down scared children.

In her autobiography “The Long Loneliness,” Day—who would go on to found The Catholic Worker movement—admits she felt comforted by the sight of people helping one another. She wrote, “While the crisis lasted, people loved each other. It was as though they were united in Christian solidarity. It makes one think of how people could, if they would, care for each other in times of stress, unjudgingly in pity and love.”

That story comes to mind on this anniversary of 9/11 because it reflects the exact same solidarity that was on display in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. With the streets as crowded as the subway at rush hour, I walked through midtown Manhattan with my co-workers toward the 59th Street Bridge. With all those people in such a small space – plus the added fear and anxiety about what had just happened – you might think there would be pushing and shoving and arguing.

But no. Everybody was in it together, or as Day said, “People loved each other. It was as though they were united in Christian solidarity.”

I thought the feeling would last. And it did for a while. People were more pleasant, drivers refrained from horn honking, church pews were fuller. But human nature being what it is, we eventually returned to normal – at least those of us who didn’t lose any loved ones. For the families and friends who did, normal is a thing of the past.

So on this anniversary of a murderous day, take time out to remember those who died – the victims and the heroes and those affected by 9/11 related illnesses – and those who still grieve for them. In their memory, make it a point to be “united in Christian solidarity” for at least one day. And if one day turns into more, so much the better.

Pope Benedict XI–Prayer at Ground Zero
New York, 20 April 2008

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.

RELATED:
– 9/11 Stories: A Look Back

– One Legacy of Father Mychal Judge

(Photo credit: Sister72 via Visualhunt.com / CC BY)

Stay in touch! Like The Christophers on Facebook:

The Christophers

Previous Post

September 10, 2013

A Christopher Prayer for Doctors

Next Post

September 12, 2013 Audrey Assad Covers "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Act One American Idol Andy Griffith Show Audrey Assad Baseball Bible Books Catholic Charities Christmas Christopher Awards Christopher Closeup Christopher News Notes Current Events Down syndrome Education Father Jonathan Morris Father Keller Films Forgiveness Fringe Government Hallmark History Holidays Humor Inspiration Leadership Lost Marriage Media Medical Military Movies Music NY Med Once Upon a Time Once Upon a Time Parenting Patheos Movie Club Person of Interest Politics Pope Francis Prayer Pro Life Saints Senior Citizens Signed Sealed Delivered Special Needs Sports Three Minutes a Day TV Uncategorized Volunteering Women Youth

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Levi" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joined God is my strength Chosen Set apart