Devon Prep Marked Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 With Special Mass

Oct. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Devon Prep marked the tenth anniversary of 9- 11 with a special Mass honoring the more than 400 first responders (343 firefighters and 72 police officers) who lost their lives that day.  Devon Prep’s Chaplain Rev. Richard Wyzykiewicz, Sch.P. served as the principal celebrate with Headmaster Rev. James Shea, Sch.P., Rev.  Javier Renteria, Sch.P., and Rev. Michael Duffy OFM concelebrating. All the readings were offered by Devon Prep faculty members who are military veterans.  

The Mass began with an Honor Guard including representatives of the Berwyn Fire Company, The Bryn Mawr Fire Company and the Tredyffrin Township Police Department.  The Berwyn Fire Company performed the solemn Fireman’s Last Alarm Ceremony to honor their fallen comrades. The ceremony includes a special signal of five rings, three times each, representing the end of the firefighter’s duties and that they will be returning to quarters.

Rev. Michael Duffy, OFM., gave the homily remembering his good friend Rev.  Mychal Judge, OFM. who perished in the terrorist attack a decade ago.  Father Judge was Chaplain of the Fire Department of New York.  He had rushed to the North Tower upon hearing of the attack and began to administer the Last Rites to those lying on the streets.  He entered the lobby of the North Tower, where he continued offering aid and prayers for the rescuers, the injured and dead.

When the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 AM, debris went flying through the North Tower lobby, killing many inside, including Father Judge. He was the first certified fatality of the September 11, 2001 attacks.  He was designated as "Victim 0001." The photograph of his body being carried out of the rubble by five men has become one of the most famous images related to 9-11.

Devon Prep Senior Justin McNabb organized the ceremony as a tribute to the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on that historic day.  Justin serves as an active firefighter with the Bryn Mawr Fire Company.

“What these people did for others is the ultimate sacrifice,” McNabb explained. “I just hope we can all come away from this ceremony today with a better understanding of what it truly means to serve.”

Devon Prep is a private Catholic college preparatory school for young men in grades six through 12 conducted by the Piarist Fathers. Located on a 20 acre campus in Devon, Chester County, Devon Prep enrolls nearly 300 young men who hail from Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties as well as parts of Philadelphia. For more information contact Devon Prep at 610-688-7337, or visit www.devonprep.com, or www.facebook.com/devonprep.