Father Mychal Judge: The First Saint of 9/11?

The first recorded death at Ground Zero may also become the first openly gay saint in the Catholic Church’s history.

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Father Mychal Judge was the first recorded death at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. He may soon become something else: the first openly gay saint in the history of the Catholic Church.

His life and death reveal what authentic American patriotism and humble Christian service look like.

He died as he lived — ministering to the suffering as a firefighter, patriot, priest, and saint.

When the first plane struck the North Tower, Mychal rushed in with the firefighters. New York’s mayor called out, “Father Mike, pray for us!” The priest responded, “I always do! I always pray for you!”

When commanders ordered an evacuation, Mychal refused to abandon the men still trapped inside: “My work here isn’t finished.”

Other priests came to the scene that day, but he was the only one who entered the towers. In the lobby, amid smoke and terror, he offered absolution, prayers, and the Last Rites.

Then, as debris rained down, a piece of falling wreckage struck his head. He collapsed and became the first recorded casualty of the attacks.

After his death, fellow firefighters carried him out in an image that to me has embodied the definition of authentic American patriotism and humble service.⁣ ⁣

It’s a modern day Pietà that reminds me of Jesus’s friends carrying him to the tomb after his death.⁣

At his funeral, thousands of everyday people showed up, describing how Father Mychal helped them during time of need and got them medical care, clothing, housing, and a future. He had a particular heart for HIV/AIDS patients during a time when many were treated as lepers.⁣

Everyone thought Mychal was their best friend, because he was.

Here’s how the priest put it at his funeral:

“In the next weeks, we’re going to have name after name of people being brought out of that rubble. And Mychal is going to be on the other side of death — to greet them.⁣

“And so, this morning we come to bury Myke Judge’s body, but not his spirit. We come to bury his voice, but not his message. We come to bury his hands, but not his good works.

“We come to bury his heart, but not his love. Never his love.”