# Prayers for the victims of 9/11 and the mercy of God
*2021-09-27*

> In this episode, Bill Young and John O'Rourke gather to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and offer special intentions for the victims and first responders of the September 11 attacks.

## Reflections on 9/11 and the FBI

As we approach the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we remember the more than 3,500 innocent victims, including the firefighters and police officers who ran into the buildings while everyone else was running out. I remember watching these events on TV while I was working in the FBI Miami office. It was a heartbreaking sight, and we worked tirelessly to find out what went wrong.

Looking back, I recall a time in May 2001 when I was in training for auditing and accounting. I remember meeting two CIA analysts—one assigned to Bin Laden and one to Al-Qaeda. Later that summer, I noticed suspicious activity reports (SARs) from banks that were being sent to various departments but not to counterintelligence. I brought this to my supervisor and an analyst, but unfortunately, the leadership at the time felt it wasn't necessary to pursue, as they were focused on white-collar and healthcare fraud. It is a tragedy that the dots weren't connected, but we must trust that some things are out of our control.

## The Legion of Mary and Blessed Frank Duff

September also marks the 100th anniversary of the Legion of Mary. We remember the founder, Blessed Frank Duff. While he has not yet been canonized, we pray for the necessary miracles so that he may one day be recognized as Saint Duff, which would be a wonderful gift for the Legion of Mary and the Church.

## The Chaplet and Litany of Divine Mercy

Together with John, we prayed for the souls in purgatory, specifically those bound to our prayers, asking that no neglect of ours may hinder them from praising God in His glory. We moved through the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, meditating on the sorrowful passion of our Lord and asking for mercy upon the whole world.

We also reflected on the sixth day of the Divine Mercy novena, where Jesus asks us to bring Him the meek, humble souls, and the souls of little children. These souls most closely resemble His heart and are the favorites of the Heavenly Father. We concluded this portion of our prayer with the Litany of Divine Mercy, affirming our trust in God's unfathomable mercy.

## Interceding for the Fallen

We shared a beautiful prayer of remembrance for the victims of Ground Zero, originally delivered by Pope Benedict XVI on September 11, 2008. We asked God to give eternal light and peace to the first responders and all the innocent men and women who lost their lives. We also prayed for the healing of those suffering from injuries and the strength of the families who continue to grieve.

To close, we offered a sacrificial prayer from Our Lady of Fatima, given to the children of Fatima on July 13, 1917. When we endure suffering or make sacrifices, we can offer them up, saying: 'Oh Jesus, this is for the love of You, for the conversion of poor sinners, and in reparation for offenses committed against Your Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'

*Continue to pray for the victims of 9/11 and their families, offering your own sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and the peace of the world.*