WASHINGTON — More than 3,500 people came to the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Sept. 16 to pay their respects to those who died across the river at the Pentagon — and, earlier, in New York — in Sept. 11's unprecedented terrorist attacks.

In a letter read by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, archbishop of Washington, Pope John Paul II wrote, “I join my prayers to those of all assembled in the National Shrine for the Mass of Supplication celebrated for those who lost their lives in last Tuesday's terrorist attack on the Pentagon.”

The Holy Father expressed his hope that the people of the United States would rely on their religious heritage to overcome the tragedy of Sept. 11.

“I am confident that, in this time of trial, all Americans will find in their religious faith a source of renewed hope, and the impetus for an ever more determined resolve to reject the ways of hatred and violence,” he said.

He added, “To all, I solemnly repeat the Gospel injunction not to be conquered by evil, but to conquer evil with good, to trust in the power of God's grace to transform human hearts, and to work fearlessly to shape a future of justice, peace and security for the children of our world.”

His words capped a week which priests from military chaplains to the U.S. House's chaplain spent serving the spiritual needs of Washingtonians. On Sept. 16, their spiritual leaders assembled in an unusual joint Mass.

Among those at the Mass were recently retired Cardinal James Hickey of Washington; Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Va.; and Archbishop Edwin

O'Brien, of the military archdiocese. Attending the service were prominent Catholics political figures: D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.

“Has there been a darker day in your life than last Tuesday?” Archbishop O'Brien asked in his homily. “The foul, acrid smoke that billowed from the twin towers, the Pentagon, and from the 757 in Shanksville, Pa., choked the tears from the eyes of a whole world.”

He called for “swift and severe” retribution against those who perpetuated the attacks in Washington and New York. He asked for God's blessings for “all who defend and love this country, this America from sea to shining sea.”

But he reminded parishioners that true peace comes only from Christ. “He is our only light. He is our only hope. And he could not be more fully present today than in the Eucharist.”

The military archbishop also reminded parishioners not to succumb to fear or hatred, especially against Americans of Arabic descent, saying “Any prejudice is un-American and un-Christian.”

A Nation of Justice and Peace

Cardinal McCarrick told the Register that he was praying for three things. “More than anything else, I pray that our nation may take this awful tragedy and turn it into a new moment, to a new relationship with each other and to God.”

The former archbishop of Newark, N.J., lost his nephew, a fire-fighter, in the attack on the World Trade Center. He said he was praying for his family.

He added, “I pray that, when we respond to this moment, we remain a nation of justice and a nation of peace.”

Bishop Loverde, whose Northern Virginia diocese includes Pentagon City, said that only faith will help Americans overcome their anguish.

“I can't put into words this unspeakable grief. One is left numb and raw. It's like looking evil right in the face,” he told the Register. “We have to have a vision of faith. With us is the Lord Jesus, and he conquered sin and death.”

“As bishop of this diocese, I wish I could meet with every family that was touched by this tragedy,” said Bishop Loverde. The Diocese of Arlington lost many civilian and military parishioners in the attack. “But we want to do everything that we can. We're offering a grief and counseling center at Our Lady of Lourdes, right by the Pentagon, and we put together a fund so we can help with funeral expenses.”

Spiritual Needs

Msgr. Philip Hall, an Army chaplain, was at the Pentagon when it was hit by the hijacked airline. He said priests from nearby military bases were summoned to help workers there after the attack.

“The whole military area of Washington is helping,” said Msgr. Hill.

“Military people are just like everyone. They have grief,” he said. But the Army chaplain acknowledged that those in the military are a “stronger breed.”

“You don't tend to think of sailors and soldiers as people of faith,” he added, “But I'll tell you this: In my 32 years in the Army, I've never met a more faithful breed. That goes for Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, everybody.”

The mood on Capitol Hill was solemn as well, said House chaplain Father Daniel Coughlin. He said that members of Congress have experienced emotions similar to those of their constituents.

“They have a feeling of being violated, of being helpless,” Father Coughlin said. “They also feel a tremendous responsibility. They wanted to be seen. That it's not going to be a government in exile.”

The first Catholic chaplain of the U.S. House hoped that Americans would not lash out against people of Islamic faith nor think that religion inspired the terrorist attacks.

“The thing that I do worry about is ‘Islamic’ as an adjective — to tie ‘religious’ with ‘terrorism,’” said Father Coughlin. “The American people hopefully know it is not a religious war.”

Josh Mercer writes from Washington.