Dear fellow religious,

As the Congregation of Holy Cross, we are a religious community of brothers and priests, small in number but global in our mission and membership. Like peoples across the world, we religious of Holy Cross were stunned and deeply wounded by the tragic events that took place in the United States on September 11. We have prayed and we continue to pray for the victims of this horrendous violence, among whom were Father Frank Grogan, of the Eastern Province of Priests, and Amy, the niece of Father Peter Jarret of the Indiana Province, and we grieve with all Americans, and in a special way with the families and loved ones of the victims. And at this terrible time we are in solidarity with our American Holy Cross brothers, priests and sisters.

Since September 11, in Holy Cross communities throughout the world there has been constant prayer: Prayer for the victims of this terrorist act, prayer for wisdom, prayer for peace and healing in our world, and a prayer to grow in becoming a people of mercy and forgiveness. As a religious community over these last four decades, the Congregation of Holy Cross is no stranger to the horror of terror. The recent history lived and story told in our own communities bear witness to this: Bangladesh, North East India, Uganda, Liberia, Rwanda, Haiti, Peru, Chile and now the United States. In all of these places much blood has been shed, including Holy Cross blood, and much disruption of life has taken place.

During this awful moment of grief and geopolitical uncertainty, we can find purpose and understanding in our Constitutions:

The mission is not simple, for the impoverishments we would relieve are not simple. ... We must be aware and also understanding by reason of fellowship with the impoverished and by reason of patient learning. For the kingdom to come in this world, disciples must have the competence to see and the courage to act.

Our concern for the dignity of every human being as God's cherished child directs our care to victims of every injury: prejudice, famine, warfare, ignorance, infidelity, abuse, natural calamity ...

In healing the wounds of terrorism and in this time of international anxiety and fear, we would do well to deepen our reflection on and our commitment to the social teachings of the church that call us to welcome all people with reverence and compassion, particularly those who share in so little of the world's goods and whose poverty is a daily terror.  The "networks of privilege and prejudice and power" of which our Constitutions speak, divide our human family. We must work to overcome those barriers so as to build up a world community of peace and justice for all of God's children. The earth belongs to all of us and we must work, as brothers and sisters, to live the gospel message to share and to love.

At times like this, it is harder than usual to believe that good can come from tragedy, but our faith as the followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and our solidarity as brothers in Holy Cross compel us to believe and to hope and to work as Jesus' instruments in the building up of the Kingdom.

Let us continue to pray for one another and pray for our world through the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows.

Yours in Christ and in Holy Cross,