One year after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the Georgetown community is once again turning to faith for consolation and as a means to pay tribute to the victims. An interfaith vigil featuring prayer and musical meditation to commemorate the first anniversary of the attacks was held Wednesday afternoon on White Gravenor Lawn.

“We are sustained in our belief in our faith, in the tradition upon which this university was built,” University President John J. DeGioia said during his remarks. “We believe the spirit is here – right here – right now . we are an academic community conversant in the power of faith.”

The service began with a call to prayer by Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., interim university chaplain, who urged attendees to “remember tragic events and recommit ourselves to the truth that life is best lived generously and committed to others.”

Prayers from their respective religions were recited by Rabbi Harold White, Senior Jewish Chaplain; Imam Yayha Hendi, Muslim Chaplain; and Rev. Constance Wheeler, Protestant Chaplain, and were interspersed with musical interludes by groups including the Georgetown Chimes and the Georgetown University Gospel Choir.

DeGioia spoke about the importance of finding consolation in one another and taking pride in the power of community to honor those who perished last Sept. 11.

“One year later we’re back – united together in our faiths, united in our commitment that together we can break the logic of evil,” he said. “Despite the horror, we will not be vanquished.”

“Prayers of Petition” were then read by Edmond Villani, chair of the Georgetown University Board of Directors, and Kathleen Adams Baczko, president of the Alumni Association.

In lighting the memorial candle that burned through the day and became the source of light for the evening’s candlelight vigil, DeGioia urged the Georgetown community to be responsible as “a force for tolerance, hope, healing, truth and love.”

Unique among many other national universities as a religiously affiliated institution, Georgetown has provided many spiritual outlets since Sept. 11. Whether or not students have looked to religion for consolation, however, is debatable.

“The tragedies of Sept. 11 have undoubtedly provoked introspection, soul-searching and prayer, but I cannot say that, for example, some Jews are coming to synagogue more frequently than they used to,” Jewish Student Association President Daniel Spector (SFS ’04) said. “Perhaps people are asking more questions – to their families, to their teachers and to their rabbis . People deal with difficulty in different ways – some learn, some talk and some, of course, pray.”

While many people attended religious services immediately after the attacks, some members of Campus Ministry attest that attendance eventually tapered off. There were more students than usual at White’s services in the weeks immediately following Sept. 11, but the numbers did not remain high, he said.

“The interfaith service last Sept. 11 was incredible. It was put together in one hour and Leavey Lounge was overflowing with students,” White said. “I was disappointed with attendance at this year’s service and feel that many more students might have come if classes had been canceled for an hour.”

Students such as Muslim Student Association member Sadaf Jaffer (SFS ’05), however, maintain that religion became and has remained a vital part of their lives post-Sept. 11. Although previously uncertain about her spiritual devotion, Jaffer said the acts of terrorism compelled her to find solace in religion.

“After Sept. 11 there was an emptiness I needed to fill, so I went to the Muslim service they had,” she said. “The Friday afterward I went to every single religious service and it really showed me how similar the faiths were in their approachs to helping people who are grieving.”

White also confirmed the presence of students attending religious services of faiths other than their own.

“Almost every service conducted by MSA was attended my members of the Christian and Jewish faiths . many non-Jews came to our services and offered their support,” he said.

While Jaffer said she now realizes the importance of friends and family, Roman Catholic student Matthew Sykes (MSB ’05) said he recognizes that many students have re-organized their priorities in the past year.

“I think most of the student body, along with the majority of the country, has had an awakening to what truly matters in life,” he said. “Religion is simply the catalyst to this revelation.”

MSA President Maisoon Al-Suwaidan (SFS ’03) echoes this sentiment, particularly in reference to the Muslim community.

“I have heard a number of Muslim students say that the events of 9-11 have inspired spirituality for different reasons, whether it is turning to God during difficult times, feeling the need to reinforce their Muslim identity now under attack or seeking the authentic true Islam that terrorists may have tainted,” she said.

While some in the Georgetown community have chosen the spiritual path and some have found comfort in other ways, the vigils this year made it clear that the events of Sept. 11 are far from forgotten.