18 Comments
User's avatar
Juliet Panebianco's avatar

Should be our first Saint from 911 🙏

Mary Murray's avatar

Thank you for this article. I had no idea of this good man’s heroics.

Edge Notes's avatar

He’s obviously a saint, but should not be a Saint.

Unless we are dropping the miracle bar, or are somehow claiming he died as a martyr for his faith.

Christopher Hale's avatar

Here’s what I write about that: Pope Francis in 2017 created a path to beatification for those who freely offer their lives for others, under the title Maiorem hac dilectionem, and the category fits a chaplain who died mid-anointing. A good primer below: https://thecentralminnesotacatholic.org/pope-approves-new-path-sainthood-heroic-act-loving-service/

Rian Alexander's avatar

Thank you for this. A saint he is. For he lived the love, and walked the Way, of Jesus.

Gloria fazio's avatar

Reading this my heart is breaking and becoming more full of love and gratitude at the same time. Thank you for this beautiful remembrance.

DianaMackiewicz's avatar

Poignant reminder of 9/11 events. Father Judge became an icon of bravery in body, mind and soul. Many of the details you listed were not a part of the narrative in 2001, thank you for sharing them, especially about Fr. Judge's attendance to AA. He is a saint for those of us who readily recall the events of 9/11 and his sainthood in the Church is something to be considered.

Suzanne Crockett's avatar

I was in Ft. Worth, Tx that awful day. My husband was at his new job in Chicago, our son starting college on Lookout Mountain, Tn. I had no one to stop me from watching, for days. I heard about and saw the coverage about Father Mychal. May we all follow his selfless example of love. ❤️‍🩹

Mez's avatar

"May we all follow his selfless example of love." -- this is so difficult, but such a worthy and necessary thing to strive for. Thank you.

Joseph S. Gaston's avatar

Thank you for reminding us of his witness, sacrifice & love. 🙏🙏🏽🙏🏿

Mariel Schooff's avatar

All people have value, equally.

Rian Alexander's avatar

He did as a martyr for his faith. Willingly.

Verlee Prybyloski's avatar

I remember when the news of his death was announced on the 24/7 news coverage. It broke my heart. I made a pilgrimage to St. Peter's a few weeks later when we could get near the area. I would join any petition for elevating him to sainthood for nothing more than walking into that building instead of running the other way. Every firefighter who did the same also deserves to be Blessed at the very least. All are examples if what we are called to do as Catholics and followers of Christ. Thank you for the thoughtful remembrance.

Bill Scott's avatar

If not yet a saint, then definitely a "Servant of God."

Will Wilson's avatar

Reading this is the first time in 25 years that I have shed tears for the events of that day. I pray that his example of being a selfless giver of Christ’s redeeming love is one I follow, too.

Shelly Heideman's avatar

An inspiring man of faith!

Monica Soule's avatar

I am crying. Being a New Yorker, I’ve known Fr. Judge’s story for many years. He’s a legend, and a saint.

Christin's avatar

This made me cry. What an incredible man.