Each meditation was read first in the sacred tongue and then in English.

After each prayer, a bell was tolled.

A Hindu Meditation
Om sahanaav-avatu, sahanaav bhunaktu. Saha veeryam karavaa-vahai. Tejaswinaa-vadheetam-astu, ma vid-vishavahai. Om shantih, shantih, shantih. Asati ma sad-gamaya; tamaso am jyotir-gamaya; mrtyorma amrutam gamaya. Om..shantih, shantih, shantih” Om…

May He protect us both (gug and disciple). May he cause us to enjoy (the Supreme). May we both work with great energy. May our study become brilliant. May we not hate each other. Om.. peace, peace, peace. Lead me from unreal to real; lead me from darkness To light lead me from death to immortality. Om..peace, peace, peace.

A Buddhist Meditation
Jayam veram pasavati dukkham seti parajito upasanto sukham seti hitva jayaparajayam. Na ca khuddam samacare kinci Yena viññu pare upava-deyyum Sukhino va khemino hontu Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta

Victory begets enmity; the defeated dwell in pain; the peaceful live happily Discarding both victory and defeat. One Should not do any slight wrong Which the wise might censure, May all beings be happy and secure! May all beings have happy minds! PEACE!

A Sikh Meditation
Waheguru saanu saade aachaar ton jaanda hai, naa ki saade bhes ton. Sachahu ouari sabh ko, oupar sach aachaar. Waheguru da milap aapsi piaar vich hai, kion ki sirf ohee jit sathaaee hai jis vich kise di vi haar naa hovai.

God judges us according to our deeds, not the coat that we wear: that Truth is above everything, and the highest deed is truthful living. Know that we attain God when we love, and only that victory endures, in consequence of which no one is defeated.

A Christian Meditation
Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. μακάριοι οἱ πενθοῦντες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ παρακληθήσονται. μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς, ὅτι αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσι τὴν γῆν. μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην, ὅτι αὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται. μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται. μακάριοι οἱ καθαροί τῇ καρδίᾳ, ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν Θεὸν ὄψονται. μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί, ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ κληθήσονται. μακάριοι οἱ δεδιωγμένοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν..

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

A Muslim Meditation
Allahumma antassalamu, wa minkas salaamu wa ilaika yarjaus-salaamu; haiyinna rabbana bis-Salaami, wa adhkilna dar us-Salaami, tabarakta rabbana wa taalaiyt, ya dhal Jalaali wal Ikraam.

O Allah! You are Peace, and All Peace is from You; and all Peace returns to You. Grant us to live with the salutation of peace, and lead us to your abode of Peace. You are blessed, our Lord, and Exalted, O Owner of Magnificence and Honor!

Jewish Prayer in Honor of the Deceased (sung)

O G-d, full of compassion, Who dwells on high, grant true rest upon the wings of the Shechinah, in the exalted spheres of the holy and pure, who shine as the resplendence of the firmament, to the souls of Victims of September 11th who [have] gone to their eternal home; may their place of rest be in Gan Eden. Therefore, may the All-Merciful One shelter them with the cover of His wings forever, and bind their souls in the bond of life. The Lord is their heritage; may they rest in peace; and let us say: Amen!

Papal remarks found here.

Choral piece
[Performed by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City]
Let There Be Peace on Earth (Copyrighted lyrics by Jill Jackson & Sy Miller) Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our Creator, family all are we; Let us walk with each other, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally, Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Watch performance here