 University Offers Comfort and Strength Following Tragedy
While the United States recoiled in shock and fear from the horrific image of airliners crashing into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon—forever sealing the date of Sept. 11, 2001 in the country’s memory—the University of San Francisco community joined together in love and support.
Hours after the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., USF President Stephen A. Privett, S.J. led a Mass at St. Ignatius Church, bringing home a message of peace and community.
“We are in the face of a tragedy, the immensity of which we still do not know,” Fr. Privett said. “What do we do today? We gather together as a university community and we reaffirm our commitment to each other, we comfort one another, we pray for the injured and deceased, and we recommit ourselves to the values and ideals for which this University stands.”
The Mass of the Holy Spirit was already planned for that day to bless the start of the academic year. It turned instead into a time for comfort and prayer for the victims of the tragedy and a nation in mourning.
“Because of the consequences of hatred and fear and a spirit of violence, we invoke a very different spirit,” the president said. “We invoke the Holy Spirit that it will not allow hatred to take a hold on our hearts and our minds.”
Over 2,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members filled the pews to hear Fr. Privett’s words and readings from the Gospel that suddenly had new meaning in light of the day’s events. “We are Parthians, Medes and Elamites…Cretans and Arabs too,” read Professor Ange-Marie Hancock. Hours after the attack, Arab terrorist leader Osama bin Laden was already being named as the mastermind behind the violence.
In his homily, Fr. Privett expanded on the theme of discipleship, reminding worshipers that enmity should not be the result of the catastrophe.
“We are the most diverse university in the country, but beneath those differences, if we look closer we see we are all members of the same human family of God,” he said.
After the morning’s quarterly meeting with the USF Board of Trustees, Fr. Privett quickly refocused his homily, tying together themes of faith, loss, fear, community, and leadership.
“Can anyone doubt the need for leaders who will fashion a more just world?” he asked toward the end of his remarks. “Can anyone question the world’s need for men and women who live not for themselves but for the common good? Can anyone question the need for a sense of the common good that’s bigger than the interest of individual groups?”
After Mass, the campus support network continued, with students, faculty, and staff meeting in residence halls and lounges to monitor and discuss the news as it unfolded. Later that evening, John Savard, S.J., director of University Ministry, led a candlelight vigil in Harney Plaza. About a dozen students shared their emotions with the group of more than 150 people.
“They talked about shock and how to respond to that,” Fr. Savard said. “They talked about initial feelings of anger and rage and then about how they can remain people of peace and live out the values expressed here (at USF) and not be people of vengeance. That is really hard when something like this happens.”
The gathering ended with a lighting of candles, prayers, and music, including “Let it be Me” by the Indigo Girls and “Peace Prayer,” a spiritual chant.
That evening, pictures of the Mass, a clip of Fr. Privett’s homily, and an interview with politics professor Roberta Johnson was broadcast on the local CBS affiliate, KPIX.
Fr. Savard said the opportunities for the campus to come together during that tragic day proved to be valuable for students, faculty, and staff alike.
“People need community,” Fr. Savard said. “Some people went home immediately, which was good. For those who couldn’t, I think we were very lucky to have the Mass of the Holy Spirit planned. People needed something immediately, to not feel alone. We provided that. I think people found connection here.”
At other campus events held in the aftermath of the attacks, the focus was on responding to the event. During a forum held on Thursday by the College of Arts and Sciences, members of the campus community agreed peaceful action was necessary. Campus administrators highlighted the community’s resolve with an event they titled “I Will Not Raise My Hands in Violence.” Students were invited to paint their palms and print their handprints on large cloth sheets. In addition, an anti-discrimination support group, facilitated by the campus’ counseling center, was founded and a donation fund for the families of missing firefighters established by the University Ministry.
|
