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September 11, 2002
Christendom Pays Tribute to September 11th Victims

On September 11, 2001, the entire Christendom College community, along with the rest of the world, was shocked and horrified by the terrorist attacks which took place in New York, Washington, DC, and in Pennsylvannia.

One year later, as the country continues to heal from these devastating attacks, Christendom offered a requiem Mass for the victims and their families and held a flag raising ceremony.

During the ceremony, College chaplain Rev. Seamus O’Kielty led the student body in prayer; Dr. Warren Carroll spoke on the foundations of the United States; and Dr. Timothy O’Donnell addressed the crowd on the topic of freedom.

During his address, O’Donnell recalled a visit he had made to the beaches of Normandy where so many white crosses stand and mark the graves of the countless individuals who died for God and country on D-Day: June 6, 1944.

O’Donnell stressed that those who died on D-Day died for freedom, but not all types of freedom. They did not die for the freedom to choose, said O’Donnell, or the freedom to have homosexual unions or pornography. Rather they died for the many freedoms which make America the great country that it is: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Following the talks, O’Donnell led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegience, after which the Betsy Ross Flag was lowered to half mast for the remainder of the day.

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