Father Mychal Judge
(May 11, 1933 – September 11, 2001)
Victim 0001, the first certified fatality on September 11, 2001, was a Catholic Franciscan priest and chaplain to the New York City fire department. Friar Mychal Judge, O.F.M., was killed in the lobby of the Trade Center’s North Tower when he was hit by a tsunami of rubble from the collapsing South Tower. First responders carried his body to the nearby Saint Peter’s Church. They didn’t know what else to do, so they reverently laid his body on the altar.
2,977 people were killed during the attacks of 9/11. Most were civilians. 344 were firefighters. 71 were law enforcement officers. Friar Mychal Judge carried this prayer with him everywhere he went:
“Lord, take me where You want me to go; Let me meet who You want me to meet. Tell me what You want me to say. And keep me out of Your way.”
Credit: The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, TX. The Catholic Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2001 to support the growing needs of our community. Information herein posted under the "rules of fair use" to foster education and discussion in accordance with Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
If you descend into somebody else’s private hell and stand there with them, it ceases to be hell.”
Father Mychal Judge
Fr. Mychal Judge, saint of 9-11, pray for us.
Be not afraid! And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always. Holy Family pray for us. Amen.