Bolstering his own and others' faith

[Times photo: Fraser Hale] The Rev. Kevin Donlon’s brother, an FBI agent in Manhattan, was at the scene of the World Trade Center tower when it crumbled.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 17, 2001

The phones started to ring. They were from parishioners requesting that he pray for their loved ones, their friends, their colleagues, the families of all the victims. Others started showing up at the church on San Miguel Street, needing to hear the organ play, to feel God's presence.

Donlon, 44, activated the prayer team, a group of people who lead prayers for those in need. And he led half-hour prayer vigils every hour until 7 p.m., when he delivered Mass.

Some parishioners expressed anger, a sense of violation. Others, profound sadness.

He told them to have faith, to trust in God.

It was a message to himself, too.

Donlon's younger brother, Craig, is an FBI special agent based in Manhattan. Craig Donlon had informed families members in New York that he was being dispatched to the World Trade Center, the twin towers that Donlon looked up at in amazement while a freshman in high school.

That was the morning. Hours went by.

"I'm going to believe in faith that he's going to be okay," Donlon said, in between services that day. "In either case, he's going to see things he has never seen."

Donlon, who grew up in Queens, remained calm, despite that fact that five hours had passed and still no word had come from his brother.

Images of the buildings crumbling replayed on the television, its volume low.

"It tests your mettle a little bit," Donlon said. "My suspicion is, sadly, when this is all said and done, more people will know somebody or know of somebody who has been in the tragedy."

That evening, Craig Donlon finally called home.

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