This specific day-cold, snowy, and somewhat dreary, found us within gazing distance of Ground Zero, the area was still being cleared and searched around the clock. We were heading toward Saint Paul's. This was the chapel that Saint Elizabeth Ann frequently attended before her conversion to Catholicism. We expected, before we entered, to find the usual church services. To our astonishment we found anything but "usual". YES, there were church services taking place in abundance, but not the usual kind of services. The interior of Saint Paul's had been turned into a shelter for all those working around the clock at Ground Zero-the firefighters, the police and the courageous volunteers. Here they were ensconced in every conceivable space in the church, eating, resting, being counseled, and even having their feet attended to by a group of podiatrists. Surrounding the resting workers, taped and pasted on the backs of pews and on streamers hanging from rafters were recent letters and posters of support and encouragement from all over the United States-mostly from school children.

Were we not in the presence of the Spirit, as the song states: "moving all over the land"? Hot meals, coffee, donuts, candy, as well as a variety of other needed articles including cartons of socks and shirts for the wet, weary workers were stacked in every available space. This spoke loudly of the generous donations pouring in.

As we stood in utter amazement watching this scene before us, the vicar pointed us to the direction of the main altar being prepared for the daily service at noon. She remarked that the services being provided to these workers would continue. No one seemed to mind the absence of quiet-a quiet which had always been a part of past services in Saint Paul's Chapel, as in churches around the world.

Overflowing with emotion, we left the church teary-eyed and speechless. One of the docents pointed to the cemetery adjoining the chapel and remarked, "usually this area is covered with green grass." Instead we saw a sea of ashes covering every nook and cranny, between, under and on top of the tombstones-this just a small part of the soot and ashes of the residue of the downed World Trade Center and its victims.

A week prior to our visit, the Christian world had celebrated Ash Wednesday. The scene before us was a living depiction of Ash Wednesday.

Months later, after Saint Paul's had been restored to its original purpose, I saw a documentary on TV about this restoration. What struck me was the fact that while walls, doors and other sections of the church were being painted and restored, the scrapes, nicks, and scars made on the backs of the pews by the shoes of the tired, resting workers were left untouched, the Restoration Committee having considered them to be "sacramentals."

NOTE: Saint Paul's Episcopal Chapel is the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan. Completed in 1776, it is a prime example of the Georgian Classic Revival style. This chapel where George Washington once worshipped has been the site of many historic occasions in the life of our nation. It is fitting then that after the World Trade Center attacks, it was privileged to serve the community by providing food, comfort and shelter, as well as sacred space for solace and reflection.

Sister Mary Clare Hughes
Administrator

The Seton Way
    is published at the
    National Shrine of
    Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
    333 South Seton Avenue
    Emmitsburg, Maryland 
                        21727

E-Mail: office@setonshrine.org

Editorial Board:
    Sr. Eleanor Casey, D.C.
    Sr. Patricia Coughlin, D.C.
    Sr. Claire Angermaier,  D.C

Typing & Layout
    Sally S. Grandstaff 

Every pilgrim or visitor to the shrine is unique and has "his" or "her" story-their reason for coming. Some come to see, to learn and many to pray.