Photo by ©Frank Silecchia
Little Ferry, NJ
(Used here by permission)

Everyone has surely seen the crossbeam at Ground Zero that broke away in the shape of a cross by now. The crosses discovered by Mr. Frank Silecchia in the rubble of a grotto like section in the atrium ruins of WTC building six became a source of refuge to him and others during the terrible ordeal of clean-up. He said it helped to restore people's faith and to renew their strength. It was such a source of strength to him and to the others that it was named God's House by him. He spray-painted those words on the atrium ruins.

What a wonderful way for God to point out to Mr Silecchia and the others that He is there always, even in the midst of turmoil, terror, mayhem and confusion and to provide solace for them during a time of great stress.

"Some people," said Mr. Silecchia, "think it's just plain steel but I believe differently."

I share Mr. Silecchia's belief that this was not just an accidental coincidence. I believe that God, in His mercy, caused the beam to be broken away and to fall in the manner it did to point out to everyone that He is still in control and to give all of them the courage they needed to complete the horrendous and terrible job at hand.

I believe that the news media carried the story of the larger cross only. That one stands about 20' high according to the estimate of Mr. Silecchia, but I would like to point out that there are three crosses in the photo taken by him. They are marked with red X's in the photo above.

In the story of the crosses, as told by Mr. Silecchia to Guideposts, the cross was destined to be moved with the rubble that was being hauled away from the site. However, Mr. Silecchia's friend, Father Brian Jordan, who was a chaplain at Ground Zero and a priest at St. Francis of Assisi in midtown, talked to officials and persuaded them to save the large cross.

How like our Heavenly Father to symbolize the way of salvation even in tragedy such as this…especially in tragedy such as this. He used the symbol of the Cross to give encouragement and to restore faith to the workers and to our nation. He is always pointing the way if only we would look and pay attention to details. He was certainly in the details here.

Mr. Silecchia said that he felt a strange sense of peace and stillness in that little grotto. He could almost hear God saying "The terrible thing done at this site was meant for evil but I will turn it to good. Have faith. I am here." And Mr. Silecchia did have faith. He said that he fell to his knees in front of the large cross as tears came and he could not stop them. When he could, finally, pull himself together, he marked it as God's House and, eventually, others came. When he needed strength to continue, he would return there.

Cross 1-The large cross-The cross upon which Christ died for our sins.

(Just as the victims of the 9-11 attack gave their lives for their country, Christ gave His life for our sins and in our place. Knowing what He did for us gives us the strength and courage to continue on in this world of turmoil, terror, mayhem and confusion. We find solace as we kneel at the Cross of Jesus. Because of the Cross of Jesus, we will see those again whom God took to Heaven on 9-11-2001. That, too, is meant to give us peace and solace as we look at the Cross and remember what it represents)

Cross 2-The first of the smaller crosses upon which one of the thieves died who was crucified with Jesus.

(Just as one of the thieves on the cross asked Jesus to save him while on the cross, I believe that some of these victims reached out to God and gave their hearts to Christ as their life was snuffed out and on 9-11-2001 they went to Paradise to be with Him.)

Cross 3-The second of the smaller crosses upon which another thief was crucified with Jesus.

(Just as the second thief died cursing Christ because He did not come down from the cross and save himself and the others at the crucifixion, the terrorists who died that day, died believing in a false God who was not there for them at the moment of death.)

Mr. Silecchia has set up a website in memory of that tragic day. He invites you to send him poems,essays, photos, drawings, etc. that you would like to have published on his memorial site. He says, " It will be in remembrance of those we lost - a haven where we can grieve together, but also a beacon of faith for all of us"

He also offers a link for you to order "THE PROMISE GROUND ZERO MEMORIAL CROSS" in 14k gold or Sterling Silver. - It is a replica of the steel beam cross discovered standing upright in the rubble of the World Trade Center two days after the towers collapsed. The cross has been meticulously detailed to show the distinct complexion of the steel beam structure and will be identified with the exclusive Promise logo and is engraved with "9/11". Made in the USA.

Net proceeds from this cross will go to the non-profit organization TUESDAYS CHILDREN, dedicated to helping the orphans of the 9/11 Tragedy

Please visit Mr. Silecchia's memorial site now at wtcgodshouse.com and read his own account of his ordeal at Ground Zero. Please order one of the crosses if you can. It will help the children who were orphaned because of the WTC disaster.

Back To Angelwings-Giving God The Glory