NEW YORK, NY December 24, 2007 —The first midnight mass at ground zero happened while workers were still clearing away the debris of the fallen twin towers and recovering bodies from the September 11th terrorist attack.

The last is planned for tonight, giving police, firefighters, ground zero workers and 9/11 families a final chance to pray on Christmas Eve at the site, where intensifying construction is taking up more open space.

More than 150 people attended the first mass in 2001. Since then, families of victims have come to the site every year.

Officials hope to open five office towers, a transit hub and a 9/11 memorial there over the next five years.