I have never known the world, or the Church, at Peace.

I was in 5th grade on September 11, 2001. Our teachers never told us what had happened that morning, but I remember seeing them cry. Even as children, we knew something was terribly wrong. That afternoon, my mom parked the van in the garage and, through her tears, explained to me what “terrorism” was. In that moment, my childhood innocence cracked. The world was no longer safe or simple.

Looking back, I see that my entire coming of age has been marked by that shadow. 9/11 was followed by the Church’s sex abuse scandal in 2002, which shattered trust and broke hearts. But even beyond the scandal, the Church allowed herself to grow irrelevant in society—too often timid, compromised, or unwilling to proclaim the truth with clarity. Violence has multiplied. Faith in God has grown weaker. We’ve seen terrorist attacks, school shootings like the one in Minneapolis, the assassination of public figures like Charlie Kirk, and countless other acts of brutality. It feels as though darkness has tightened its grip.

But I don’t want to live in a world of despair. I want to live in a world that knows Jesus inside and out. I want a Church that boldly proclaims the Gospel and serves the needy. I want a society that fears God and honors human dignity. I want to be unapologetically Catholic. I want to be surrounded by saints who push me to become one myself.

And this is where hope comes in. Our hope is not naïve optimism—it is a Person: Jesus Christ. He conquered sin and death. He is the Light no darkness can overcome. He is the Prince of Peace who tells us: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). His Cross and Resurrection guarantee that evil never has the last word.

But hope demands a response. Christ does not call us to hide our faith, but to live it fully. The world will not be healed by silence, compromise, or lukewarm discipleship. It will be healed by men and women who reject sin, love the Eucharist, go to confession, pray daily, and witness to the Gospel without fear or shame.

On 9/11, as a child, I could only watch my teachers weep and hear my mother cry, and innocently think my dad was in danger in an office in Daphne, AL. Today, as Christians, we cannot remain passive. This anniversary is not only about remembering the past—it is about choosing how we will live now. Let us honor the fallen by being bold in faith, courageous in holiness, and steadfast in hope.

Yes, the world is violent. Yes, many have turned away from God. And yes, the Church has too often chosen comfort over mission. But the tomb is empty. Christ is risen. That is why despair is never an option—and why now is the time to live the Faith without apology.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Mt 5:9)