If there was ever a saint on earth, it was Father Mychal Judge.
He was an angel sent directly from God, bestowed upon His people to help them; of that I am certain. He was
a regular guy, yet with enormous and immeasurable gifts. If you had a question, Father Mychal had an answer.
If you had a problem, he had a solution. If you were scared, he would comfort. He always knew just what to say or do. I don't think there are enough good words to truly honor this great man. But I will try my best...
Father Mychal Judge was a family friend. I had the honor, privilege, and profound blessing of being baptized by him. As a boy, I attended the Sacred Heart Parish in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. He worked in the parish and was good friends with my Mom, Marianne Glennon who was in charge of the Sacred Heart music program and their choir for many years. Even as a kid, I knew there was something special about Father Mychal. Everyone wanted to be around him. He had an uplifting spirit, something I came to appreciate much later in life.
I connected with Father Mychal some years ago at a seminar he was speaking at. He had a break in between lectures, so we sat down and had lunch. I asked him what he was doing after his meal and he said he wanted to take a walk and think for a while. I asked if I could walk with him and talk. I was in my mid-twenties then and was in a real funk. I was questioning the meaning of life, religion, the church, and just about everything else. My life, what it meant and where it was going, confused me. I really needed to talk to someone I felt could give me guidance, and Father Mychal was, as always, willing and wanting to help. I joined him on his walk, and his walk became ours.
We started out on what was supposed to be a short stroll. We ended up back at the lecture hall three hours later, right before he was to speak again. During those three-hours, Father Mychal listened intently to my concerns and answered all of my questions. After talking with him, I felt enlightened; released from my self-imposed burdens and so very relieved. I was on the correct path all along and just didn't realize it.
Father Mychal pointed this out and really put things in perspective for me. For that, I will forever be grateful.
Father Mychal had devine answers, and an intuition that was uncommon among most human beings. He shared his gifts with everyone he met. I know, after he shared them with me on that special, sacred afternoon, that Father Mychal was a channel directly to God, and a gift from Him to us. He was God's spirit wrapped in flesh and wearing a Franciscan robe. Father Mychal seemed to be everywhere, doing everything for anyone who would ask. It seemed as if he could be in a million places at once. To have such strength and stamina was incredible. His spirit was inspiring, and it touched so many people. Ask anyone who has ever talked with him. He had the gift to comfort anyone in need. Just being in his presence was a comfort. Talking with him was a blessing.
In watching all the news coverage about September 11th, the most compelling moments for me, the ones that really struck my soul, was seeing NYC firemen talk about Father Mychal and how much he'd meant to them. I remember seeing one big, tough firefighter breaking down in tears upon hearing that Father Mychal had been killed. He said that Father Mychal was their strength and asked, to no one in particular: "Now what do we do? Whom do we look to for strength and guidance?"
In trying to come to terms with his death, I phoned my Mom when I saw got the news. I could barely speak.
I told her that Father Mychal had been killed and asked how she thought he would want me to react. She said that I should try to be strong and supportive to others who are grieving. Just try and give love unconditionally in these tragic times. She also said that Father Mychal would have it no other way. He knew when he had finished God's work on earth that he would move on. He had no fear on this earth. And Father Mychal had died doing God's work.
Yes he did. Father Mychal died giving last rites to an injured firefighter during the collapse of the World Trade Center. He didn't leave the dying man there to die alone. He didn't run away from the horror when everyone else did, trying to save himself. He stayed by the dying man's site and helped him go to God. He did what he was called to do. It was a noble and beautiful way to die, and if he had to be taken from us, this was the way I know he would have wanted to leave this world. It was fitting and perfect, and yet, even knowing this, I still have not totally come to terms with his death. I sometimes like to believe that God could not wait any longer to be with Father Mychal. I sometimes feel robbed. I wish I had spent more time with him. There was always an open invitation to go into New York and have lunch with him and talk again. I talked with him on the phone, but never made the trip in to the city. Three miles away. It is one of the few regrets I have in my life.
I now draw on Father Mychal's strength and example. I best remember him as a regular guy with uncommon gifts. A man filled with answers. A man filled with love and understanding. A saint on earth. A man of God. It was, and is, a blessing in my life to have known him. He was an example to all of how a good life can be lived. Just give what you can, he would probably say. He gave everyday and, in the end, he gave his life...
Here are the addresses and direct, clickable links to three very important websites.
posts an outstanding article that describes this great man well and truly honors his life and memory.
Written by Michael Ford, this intimate spiritual portrait of Father Mychal Judge
features exclusive interviews with some of his closest friends and associates. I loved this book!
Using an image of Ground Zero, another of Father Mychal Judge,
and photographs of the lost New York City Fire department heros,
Tom Gabay of FDNY, Engine 68 Ladder 49, Bronx, New York created a stirring
limited edition print to honor those of FDNY's bravest who lost their lives on 9-11-2001
at the World Trade Center. It is called "Our Brothers Will Not Be Forgotten".
Purchases of this print go to the NY Firefighter's 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund,
or you can donate without getting the print. Please do.
