On Sept. 10, two pieces of metal were nothing more than a juncture of two I-beams. 
But on the days after Sept. 11, they became a symbol of hope. 
Frank Silecchia said, "It was a sign, a sign that God hadn't deserted us," USA Today reported in 2014.
Silecchia, who was working in the rubble of ground zero, had pulled three bodies on Sept. 13, 2001, when he noticed what is now considered the Ground Zero Cross. 
He showed the cross to a Franciscan priest who was blessing remains unearthed at the site, The Washington Post reported. 
Then other workers gathered, with the priest, Father Brian Jordan, leading a moment of silence.
The cross-like form was moved from the wreckage, and blessed on Oct. 3, 2001, with Jordan saying, "May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee." He also held weekly services, starting out small and blessing remains of those found, offering solace to the workers and the families of victims. The groups grew to 300 members, meeting around the Ground Zero Cross, the Post reported.
The cross is now housed in the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Items