The Ground Zero Cross

by Brian J. Jordan

Two days after the terrible attack against the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, a union construction worker made a remarkable discovery within the ruins of World Trade Center 6. He saw a cross-like beam that stood on top of a heap of debris. He was stunned by its significance as were countless others after him. The purpose of this book is to trace the thirteen-year odyssey of this iconic cross from World Trade Center 6, to its position atop a concrete abutment within the World Trade Center during the recovery and rebuilding period, to the outside wall of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church across from Ground Zero and finally to the National 9/11 Memorial Museum where it remains today. The odyssey also includes a three-year legal battle whose appellate decision found that the Constitution of the United States does not preclude the presence of the Ground Zero cross within the National 9/11 Memorial Museum. This book is the author’s personal memoir. He is a Franciscan priest who, through many uncertain days, was the unofficial guardian of the Ground Zero cross. The concurrent themes of the book treat spirituality, grief sharing, selfless sacrifice, architecture, church history, biblical theology, and litigation. The book tells the story of many obstacles transcended on the way to the triumph of the Ground Zero cross.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2017

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Jordan is passionate about “his” cross—and I deliberately put quotations around the word ‘his’ because although the Ground Zero Cross certainly never belonged to the Good Padre, as he blessed, defended, discussed and prayed near it over the years following 9/11, he came to be associated with it and see it as such.

A cross-like beam from World Trade Center building 6, the ‘Cross’ was not welded together after 9/11, or even somehow miraculously created by some force of the explosion, it was only left by it, revealed if you will in the rubble. It did come to be seen as an icon for survivors, family members, clean-up and rescue workers, the physically and emotionally wounded and all those who mourned that tragic day. So much was lost. Many lives certainly, but also Faith, Hope, Trust and Belief in all those things we hold dear, but usually take for granted. This rather ugly steel cross came to represent something which had survived the carnage, something which seemed to show that despite everything, God was still with His people. Father mentions repeatedly that even non-Christians, including atheists, were moved and comforted by it.

The Ground Zero Cross by Fr. Jordan, is part personal narrative, part historical background on the material of the cross as well as a brief introduction to the symbolic meaning of the figure of ‘crosses’ to Christianity.

Reading it, I couldn’t help but feel his unguarded love for his cross and the years he devoted to it, symbolic of his love for the people both living and dead, especially one of his best friends lost that September day, fellow friar, Father Mychal Judge, but also so many more who helped him in the battle to preserve and repeatedly move the cross in its struggle for survival until the 9/11 museum could be opened. There was also a lawsuit thrown in there which almost precluded the cross being allowed in.

A poignant worthwhile book and must read for anyone touched by 9/11 ... and really who hasn’t been?

[Grace Mcmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, most likely unknown, piece of 9/11 history

This little book is a reverent look into how the Ground Zero Cross recovered from the World Trade Center became an important part of the Memorial. Lawsuits, politics, and perseverance are the heart of the story told so well by a Franciscan priest, Fr. Brian Jordan, the official and unofficial guardian of the Cross. It was a wonderful read during this Lenten/Easter season.