Catholic All Week

Patriot Day – the National Day of Service and Remembrance held in memory of Sept. 11, 2001 – has a special significance this year as America marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks that killed 2,996 people in New York City, at the Pentagon and in a Shanksville, Pennsylvania, field. As Catholics, we can follow the example of Pope Benedict XVI who, during a visit to Ground Zero in New York on April 20, 2008, asked the Lord to “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.”

Remember and serve

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville are offering special events commemorating the 25th anniversary. The ceremony at the 9/11 Plaza in New York City during which each victim’s name is read aloud is particularly moving. If you can’t be there in person, many events will be televised or streamed. The second part of the day – service – can be achieved by volunteering for a cause that matters to you, whether at your church, a charitable organization or a park.

Learn and teach

More than 100 million Americans are too young to remember the 9/11 attacks. Students, teachers and interested adults can register for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s free Anniversary Digital Learning Experience program. Highlights include a 35-minute film highlighting first-person accounts of the attacks and their aftermath, individual speaker stories, and the opportunity to connect with museum staff in real time through an interactive live chat.

Lift up in prayer

Remembering in prayer those who were lost, the heroes who jumped in to save lives and the families they left behind is a positive thing that we can do as Catholics. Jesuitreource.org features a lengthy list of prayers written for prior anniversaries that help guide hearts from fear and anger toward healing and hope, which is a wonderful legacy of a day that should never be forgotten.

Catholic All Week

Pope Leo has chosen a very different theme for the 2026 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, celebrated on Sept. 1: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4). The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said the Holy Father’s message focuses on how armed conflicts violate our duty to care for creation by destroying the natural world and threatening the lives of millions of people.

Pray for peace

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops noted, “American Catholics … are learning more, caring more, and doing more about the environment and threats to it. As a community of faith, we are also seeking to understand more clearly the ethical and religious dimensions of this challenge.” One of the most powerful things we can do as Catholics is to pray for both care for creation and for world leaders to find peaceful solutions to disputes. Prayers, Scripture readings and more for both topics can be found on the USCCB website.

Help those affected

The Vatican’s statement on this year’s theme said the passage from the prophet Isaiah “is an explicit invitation to prioritize development and sustainability over violence and destruction.” You can learn more about these from a Catholic perspective on the USCCB website. Consider volunteering or financially assisting Catholic organizations that are aiding those affected by violence or those working to eliminate the systemic poverty that can lead to conflicts.

Clean up your environment

While individuals may feel limited in how much we can impact global issues, we can take ownership of the creation in our literal backyards. Whether it’s hanging up a bird feeder, helping to remove litter from a nearby stream, cleaning up a section of roadway or volunteering at a church or community garden, take the time and make the effort to care for nature.

Catholic All Week

The lazy days of summer are the perfect time to catch up on your reading list, whether you are sitting on the sand or sheltering in air-conditioned comfort. Rather than settling for a pop culture title that might not reflect religious values, why not dig into the works of a Christian author? Here are a few well-known 20th-century authors and the ideal “gateway” work to help you see the world – and faith – through their eyes.

Hilaire Belloc

Hilaire Belloc is widely known for his famous quote: “Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, there’s always laughter and good red wine.” The orator, political activist, essayist and poet wrote more than 150 books. His versatility as a writer and lively sense of humor make him a pleasure to read. “The Path to Rome” is a travelog about walking from France to Rome to reaffirm his faith that blends anecdotes, philosophy and reflection with humor. His children’s verses, including “The Bad Child’s Book of Beasts and Cautionary Tales” may remind you of Roald Dahl or the Lemony Snicket stories.

J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien is often called the father of modern fantasy, but his worldview was rooted in his Catholic faith and he regarded the story of salvation as the greatest tale ever told. His hobby of inventing languages and accompanying myths gradually led to the epic adventures of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” To dive into a shorter work by Tolkien, read his essay “On Fairy Stories,” which gives insights into his philosophy on fantasy. “Leaf by Niggle” is a short allegory about life and redemption that explores the bond between an artist and God.

C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis was a reluctant Christian convert – conversations with his friend, J.R.R. Tolkein, brought him to the faith – who experts say has arguably done more to explain Christianity than any other modern author. Lewis understands the human condition. No matter the audience, from children to those who share his initial skepticism, he is able to find the perfect example to illustrate his point. His classic “The Chronicles of Narnia,” is worth re-reading at any age, while his science fiction trilogy for adults, which begins with “Out of the Silent Planet,” takes theological underpinnings into outer space. A less well-known story is “The Great Divorce,” which is about a bus ride from hell to heaven that is both inspirational and enlightening.