Index: click these links for contents:

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Mychal's Prayer:
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.
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Meditations:
Even before his heroic death on 9/11, many considered Mychal Judge to be a living saint for his extraordinary compassion and deep spirituality.

"Mychal had no use for physical things. Give him a cashmere sweater, and it would end up on the back of a homeless person. But go to him with a troubled soul, and he would listen intently for as long as it took." (Steven McDonald)

While praying, Mychal sometimes "became so lost in God, as if lost in a trance, that he'd be shocked to find several hours had passed." (Michael Daly)

"He achieved an extraordinary degree of union with the divine. We knew we were dealing with someone directly in line with God." (Fr. John McNeill)

“I, Mychal Judge, am not capable of doing these things on my own. I walk in, hold a hand, wipe a tear, say a prayer. But that’s not me, that’s the grace of God. I don’t worry about the details… it’s a mystery, it’s God.”
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+
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Excerpts from the
Last Homily of
FDNY Chaplain, Father Mychal Judge,
at Mass for Firefighters: Sept. 10, 2001
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You do what God has called you to do. You get on that rig, you go out and do the job. No matter how big the call, no matter how small, you have no idea of what God is calling you to, but God needs you. He needs me. He needs all of us. God needs us to keep supporting each other, to be kind to each other, to love each other…
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We love this job, we all do. What a blessing it is! It’s a difficult, difficult job, but God calls you to do it, and indeed, He gives you a love for it so that a difficult job will be well done.
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Isn’t God wonderful?! Isn’t He good to you, to each one of you, and to me? Turn to God each day -- put your faith, your trust, your hope and your life in His hands. He’ll take care of you, and you’ll have a good life. And this firehouse will be a great blessing to this neighborhood and to this city. Amen.
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See full text of Mychal's Last Homily here

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Mychal's Life & Death
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Film (Documentary):
Saint of 9/11
This film “reminds us that sanctity always
makes its home in humanity” -- America
> watch the film trailer here (2 min)
> watch the full film here (90 min)
> purchase the DVD here
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Book (Biography):
The Book of Mychal: The Surprising Life and Heroic Death of Father Mychal Judge, by Michael Daly -- "the most definitive biography of Mychal Judge"
(Thomas Dunne Books, 2008: 388 pages, hardcover)
> Order from major dealers here
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Interview with Book of Mychal
author Michael Daly here
"A lot of people thought he was as close to Jesus as anyone they’d ever met. And if Jesus laughed a lot, well then yeah, maybe ...
"If you had in your mind an ideal priest, the sort of person who really did bring God to people, and who really did comfort and steady people, and led by example, that was all Mychal.”
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Book (Biography):
Father Mychal Judge:
An Authentic American Hero,
by Michael Ford
"a spiritual portrait"
(Paulist Press, 2002: 224 pages, hardcover).
> Order from major dealers here
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Article: How did Father Mychal Judge die
Mychal Judge's death:
"Jesus, please end this right now!"
The details of Mychal Judge's last hour and death reflect the great heroism and holiness of his entire life... here
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New Film:
Remembering Mychal
On Oct. 11, 2001, the friends of Fr. Judge gathered to commemorate his life. This “Month’s Mind” memorial celebrated the Mychal who was much more than the hero presented by the media. These are stories told by his friends in all the different parts of his astonishing life -- parishioners, people in recovery, politicians, people living with AIDS, firefighters, the homeless, Irish Americans, musicians, and gay activists. Here the complex, real Mychal Judge emerges, the people’s Mychal Judge. (Director: Brendan Fay. Camera: Mark Corcoran. Editior: Mary Manhardt.) 45 minutes. Will soon be available for purchase or screening.  here


New Book:
Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Fr. Mychal Judge
by Salvatore Sapienza: Tregatti Press:
2011. 110-pages, paper.
This is a must-get book for those seriously interested in the life and spirituality of Father Mychal Judge. Written by a former monk who worked with him, Mychal's Prayer is a series of prayers and meditations coupled with examples of how Mychal actually lived out those prayers. It points to ways we can also live more fully in the Holy Spirit according to the gifts God has given us. > Order from Amazon here.


Biography/ Article:
No Greater Love:
Chaplain Mychal Judge, OFM.
A Franciscan biography in
St. Anthony's Messenger -- here
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“The happiest man on earth”
Eulogy by Fr. Michael Duffy, OFM
at Mychal's funeral: 9/15/01 -- here
Stories of Mychal’s life, some poignant,
some funny.
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See also
Quotes by & about Mychal Judge
for more stories and examples of his life.
Click here
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Last Homily of Fr. Mychal Judge on DVD
delivered on Sept. 10, 2001 to firefighters:
Order from Mychal's Message Here
(proceeds help the poor and homeless)
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Children's Picture Book:
He Said Yes:
The Story of Father Mychal Judge
written by Kelly Ann Lynch,
illustrated by M.Scott Oatman
(Paulist Press, 2007).
This hardcover, full color, children's picture book tells the story of Mychal's life. Lynch's family knew him as their pastor for many years.
Proceeds benefit Mychal's Message, serving the poor and homeless.
Order from Mychal's Message : here
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Wikipedia article:
"Mychal F. Judge" here
In our opinion, a good basic biography.
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Father Mychal Judge:
God's Spirit in Sandals
Anthology of personal stories by some who knew him.
Available online here
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Film (Documentary)
Victim 0001 -- here
Focuses on Mychal's life and aftermath of his death. Includes interviews with two parents whose children were miraculously healed of major illnesses after praying to Fr. Mychal. Broadcast across the United Kingdom in 2004, it was viewed by millions and received widespread acclaim. (CTCV film).
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Remembering Mychal Judge:
A photographic visit to his old stamping grounds
by Fr. Jack Wintz, ofm -- here
"There were no boundaries to Mychal's love. There was not an ounce of racism, sexism or discrimination in his bones ... We could all learn a lot from Mychal's unconditional and inclusive love—his accepting of others as they are. A real sense of God's overflowing goodness was reflected in the generous love that Mychal showed to others."
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Pray for those who persecute you
When organizers of Manhattan's St. Patrick's Day parade excluded gay Irish groups from joining, St. Pat's for All began its annual parade in Queens which welcomes everyone. In 2000, Fr. Mychal marched with them in brown habit and sandals --not as a political statement, but in prayerful solidarity. Heckled by screaming protesters waving rosaries, Mychal smiled and blessed them. "He looked at them with compassion and affirmed them along the way," at one point speaking softly with some of them.
Photo of Fr. Mychal in 2000 St. Pat's for All parade here.
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NPR: All in the Divine Plan:
new revelations about Fr. Mychal Judge, including that he talked an armed man into releasing hostages (1974), that he was "transformed" by the Eucharist, and that he had premonitions of his own death... here
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Article, New York magazine:
The Firemen's Friar -- here
"Judge was gregarious, mischievous, a luminous presence...he was everybody's priest."
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Article: by Mike Kelly
The Secret of Father Judge -- here
"Father Judge was gay..... he did not turn it into his main agenda. Nor did he hide from it."
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Also by Mike Kelly:
Could a Gay Man be a Saint? -- here
"Sometimes God thrusts an individual into prominence at a time of great need. This was true of Fr. Judge...He gave his life in service and emerged as an icon of courage and love. We were given a gift to bring us hope in this dark time."
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"only God knows..."
On February 25, 2001, the 40th anniversary of his ordination, Father Mychal wrote to friends, "Today, over and over again, I said 'Thank you, Lord!'...for a grace-filled Franciscan priesthood. And the future? As on ordination day, only God knows, and He will reveal only what I need to know each day. It will be wonderful -- that's the way God is."
Mychal didn't know that just six months later, God would raise him up to the world as a light of faith, hope and love amidst one of the greatest tragedies in history.
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Mychal Judge's death:
"Jesus, please end this right now!"
by John M. Kelley
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The details of Father Mychal Judge's last hour and death reflect the great heroism and holiness of his entire life.
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As Mychal rushed into the North Tower with firefighters, Mayor Rudy Giuliani called out, "Father Mike, pray for us!" Mychal responded, "I always do! I always pray for you!" These were his last public words -- his promise to always pray for us. (Giuliani: Mayor of America).
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Other priests also came to the scene, but Mychal was the only priest to actually enter either WTC building. He continued to offer absolution, prayers, and assistance in the lobby as death rained all around him, until his own death.
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When commanders gave orders to evacuate the building, he refused to abandon the hundreds of firefighters still trapped inside saying, "My work here is not finished." (Ford & Daly).
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It was initially reported that Mychal died while anointing a fallen firefighter. But he actually died after anointing FF Daniel Suhr; he anointed Suhr on the plaza outside before he entered the building. Nor was he struck by a falling body. The jumpers were falling outside onto the plaza; Mychal died inside the WTC lobby (Daly).
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The Jules Naudet film (below) shows Mychal praying anxiously in the lobby about half an hour before his death. He was probably saying the Rosary, as he often did at fires. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
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At 9:50- 9:55 AM, Mychal climbed up to the mezzanine attempting to reach some injured firefighters. Seeing dozens of jumpers crashing onto the plaza outside, he cried out fervently and repeatedly, "Jesus, please end this right now! God, please end this!"
(Daly)
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Mychal Judge died while pleading with his Best Friend to miraculously intervene and put an end to the devastation.
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Mychal was struck and killed at 9:59 AM when the South Tower collapse sent concrete and debris flying through the North Tower lobby at speeds of over 100mph.
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The Medical Examiner found, and his death certificate states, that Mychal Judge died of blunt force trauma to the head (Daly). The wound was visible on the back of his head. He was designated as Victim 0001 because his was the first body recovered from the scene.

His body was initially carried to St. Peter's church across the street from the WTC, then was brought to the West 31st Street firehouse, and then home to St. Francis of Assisi church for the wake and funeral. Fr. Mychal is buried at Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Totowa, NJ.
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God answered Mychal’s pleas, but not quite the way he asked. By a series of smaller miracles and good fortunes, most people did safely escape the towers that day, and tens of thousands of lives were saved.
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And for those who didn't make it, God sent Father Mike to greet and guide them on the other side, where he continues to pray for all of us.
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"You are the Body of Christ. In you and through you the work of the Incarnation must go forward. You are to be taken, to be blessed, broken, and distributed, that you may be the means of grace and the vehicles of the Eternal Love." + Saint Augustine
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“Mychal”
by Black 47 (Larry Kirwan)
listen here
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In New York City I made my home
I loved the streets, the very stones
Cared for my comrades,
cherished my friends
Loved all beginnings,
had no time for ends
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The city streets are full of woe
I saw suffering wherever I'd go
I did my best to console and heal
Treat each human with full dignity
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I never saw a reason to hate
someone who thinks different than you
Each one has their anointed place
In the love reflected in God's face
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We all have sorrow, our share of trials
We all are sinners in each other's eyes
Love alone can heal the pain
God bestows love in so many ways
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I have my failings and I have tried
To look them squarely in the eye
To be there when someone might call
For I know cruel well how hard it is to fall
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I love the company of friends
The fire and the music sparkling
in their eyes
But I achieved my heart's desire
When I rode beside the ones
who fight the fires
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As I arise on this September morn
The sun is beaming down,
the streets are warm
God's in His heaven and all is well
I will go forth and do His will
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+ Father Mychal Judge, friend of God
and friend of all, pray for us.

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Mychal: After 9/11
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USA Today:
The Making of St. Mychal,
including reports of two miraculous healings through Father Mychal Judge's intercession -- Click here
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Associated Press:
Sainthood call for fire chaplain rises from Sept. 11 ashes.
"He was in his life, by the voice of the people, already a saint." here
See also discussion,
"Is Mychal Judge a Saint?" here
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Hear Mychal's voice!
at his last Mass on Sept.10, 2001:
"God needs you,
He needs me, He needs all of us."
from the Saint of 9/11 film:
> watch the trailer here (2 mins)
or
> the entire film here (90 mins)
(turn up sound).
..
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Reflection:
The Saint of 9/11:
Discovering the Mystery of Easter
in the new documentary about
Fr. Mychal Judge
by Fr. Christopher J. Devron, SJ-- here
"Post-resurrection narratives continue to be written—as one was written in the story of Fr. Mychal Judge—and they are continually written in each of our own lives and hearts."
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Reflection:
Andrew Sullivan- here
on Fr. Devron's article (above)--
"Jesus walked among us. And until he endured the final sacrifice, most of us didn't even know".
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“The happiest man on earth”
Eulogy by Fr. Michael Duffy, OFM
at Mychal's funeral: 9/15/01 -- here
“Mychal passed through to the other side... to greet (the other firefighters) … He’s going to take them by the hand and say, 'Welcome, I want to take you to my Father.' And so, he can continue doing in death what he couldn’t finish in life”.
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Reflections:
Steven McDonald on
Mychal Judge and Forgiveness
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In 1986, NYC police detective Steven McDonald was shot and left permanently paralyzed. Fr. Mychal Judge became a close friend of the McDonald family, guiding Steven to forgive his assailant. Eventually, Steven made it his Christian mission to publicly share his story of forgiveness, including taking the message to the warring factions in Ireland, with Fr. Mychal.
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In the first article, below, McDonald shares his thoughts on the life and death of Fr. Mychal Judge.
In the second article, he discusses his experience of the healing power of forgiveness.
here - and - here
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Reflection:
The Love Story that emerged from
September 11 -- here
"It’s a Love that doesn’t come from us, but rather comes through us. It is the Love of God. During the attacks, we saw this selfless love over and over….
God's unconditional Love flowing through us….
Ego disappears, and concern about dying. Thats being lost in love, and living at your God-given potential."
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Other Reflections:
Pope’s Prayer at Ground Zero here
Irish Prime Minister pays tribute here
by Ellis Henican (Newsday) here
The Wild Geese Today here
by Magic Mike here
by Peter S. Kahrmann here
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.The fire jacket and helmet which Fr. Mychal was wearing when he died - perhaps the holiest of his physical relics - are now on permanent display at the NYC Fire Museum. Amazingly, they were found intact in the WTC rubble in which everything else was pulverized. Story Here.

New York Times:
Admirers of Fallen 9/11 Hero Distain Vatican's Plan to Bar Gays as Priests
Under the Vatican plan, even celibate, gifted, saintly men like Mychal Judge to be barred from priesthood.
here
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.Animated Cartoon (Mother Jones):
Gays not suited for the priesthood?
Think again....
Click here (have sound turned up)
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.Vigil Honors Fr. Mychal Judge
at Ground Zero (April, 2008)
On the eve of Pope Benedict’s visit to Ground Zero, several dozen people attended “A Vigil of Hope” in memory of Fr. Mychal Judge, which culminated at the corner of Vesey and Church Streets, where Mychal’s body was first placed on 9/11. Participants prayed for “our families and friends who died on 9/11… for a change of heart, for an end to prejudice against gay persons, for understanding, peace and reconciliation”.
(See photos at bottom of page)
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Steven McDonald retraces Mychal’s
1998 peace pilgrimage to Ireland
In 1998, survivors of the Omagh bombing reached out to touch Mychal's robe as he walked among them. Steven McDonald returns ten years later.
(May, 2008) here
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Video clip:
"Following Father Judge" --here
Father Christopher Keenan,
Mychal's successor as FDNY chaplain
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New York Times:
Father Brian Jordan: Tending
to a flock in hard hats -- here
Fr. Mychal Judge recruited Jordan to the priesthood with the sales pitch: “Don’t be an unhappy lawyer. Be a happy priest." Jordan counted Judge as his mentor. Acting on Judge’s advice, Jordan has worked among immigrants as well as construction workers.
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Mychal Judge Act becomes law
The Mychal Judge Police and Fire Chaplains Public Safety Officers Benefit Act became law in 2002. The law allows domestic partners of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty to collect their federal death benefit. Previously, only legal spouses, parents, and children of such public safety officers could collect the benefit. Gay partners were excluded because they could not legally marry. This is the first time the federal government has extended equal benefits to same-sex couples.
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Mychal Judge nominated for
Congressional Gold Medal --
nation's highest civilian honor here
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Mychal nominated for
Presidential Medal of Freedom
"Father Judge died as he lived - serving others...He was advised to move to a safer location, but he refused to leave his compatriots... he remained with them offering comfort and absolution until the end."
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Mychal awarded
Presidential Medal of Valor -here
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Faithful flock to Fr. Mychal's grave
New York Daily News (May, 2008) here
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Photo Essay: Father Mychal Judge
New York Daily News (May, 2008) here
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Pres. Bush cites Mychal's Prayer,
Mychal's Message, Shannon Hickey
at National Prayer Breakfast (2007)--
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President Bush: "Father Mychal's humble prayer reminds us of an eternal truth: In the quiet of prayer, we leave behind our own cares and we take up the cares of the Almighty...
"Mychal's Message [organization] has collected and distributed over 100,000 needed items to the poor and homeless..."
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New York Daily News:
"Mychal is still saving lives;
can you believe this?!"
The Late Father Mychal Keeps Busy
by Michael Daly: Aug. 3, 2005 -- here
Did Mychal's intercession get this woman life-saving brain surgery? Too many coincidences to be mere coincidence.
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Patron Saint of thousands
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In life, Mychal Judge ministered in extraordinary imitation of Christ, “like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart…” (Isaiah 40).
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Many thousands now pray for his intercession for many causes. Those he helped in life, and whom he continues to help include --
.
firefighters and police officers,
children and seniors,
gays and lesbians,
families and single people,
and all those in distress;
.
struggling and recovering alcoholics,
children with autism,
pre-natal and heart conditions,
immigrants and refugees,
the homeless and the hungry,
the sick, injured, and frightened,
people with Aids and HIV,
the bereaved who’ve lost loved ones,
the falsely accused and hostages;
.
those betrayed by Church officials,
those who feel abandoned by God,
those doubting their faith,
those doubting their self-worth,
those awakening to God,
those returning to Christ,
those in spiritual renewal,
and those who minister to
“these the least of My brethren”.
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Father Mychal Judge, friend of God
and friend of all, pray for us.
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How beautiful are the feet of him who brings the Gospel of peace, announcing salvation and that God is your king! (Isaiah 52)
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Organizations
continuing Mychal's work:
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Mychal's Message
Mychal's Message is a non-profit organization created to honor the life of Father Mychal F. Judge, O.F.M.
"It is a grace to walk in his footsteps and encounter the homeless and poor, meeting basic needs, while restoring dignity with love." We can help:
Click http://MychalsMessage.org
and feature story here
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St. Francis Breadline, New York.
Every morning at 7am, Father Mychal would step out to the sidewalk in front of St. Francis church to distribute food, supplies, and blessings to the hungry and homeless. His Franciscan brothers continue this work today, and we can help. here
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.Father Mychal Judge CREATE Fund, New York.
This not-for-profit organization helps the recovery of individuals and families from homelessness, substance and alcohol abuse. Fr. Mychal was on its Board for many years, and Mychal's sister and fellow friars continue to serve on its Board.
"One of our greatest friends and helpers was Father Mychal Judge. We continue to remember him and hope to honor his memory with our work." More here
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.Father Mychal Judge Recovery Center
at St. Anthony's Shrine, Boston
Mychal's Franciscan brothers and professional staff provide comprehensive alchohol and drug rehab services in Boston. here
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The Father Mychal Judge Center
for Irish Exchange & Understanding
at St. Bonaventure University: here
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Holy Name Province (OFM):
Fr. Mychal's Franciscan order
(Order of Friars Minor, founded by St. Francis)
here
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Fr. Mychal's home church and monastery
on West 31 St. (renamed "Father Mychal F.
Judge Street"), New York City. here
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Annual Fr. Mychal Judge
Walk of Remembrance, NYC:
annual 9/11 prayer walk from St. Francis church
to Ground Zero, tracing Mychal's final route.
Video of 2006 Walk here,
Video of 2010 Walk here
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.Annual Fr. Mychal Judge
9/11 Mass, Boston: here

Franciscan Saints
Is Mychal Judge a saint?
by John M. Kelley
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Mychal Judge is already a saint whether or not he is ever formally canonized.
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Both as a spiritual fact by the grace of God, and by widespread acclamation of the faithful, Mychal Judge is a true saint.
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For most of the church’s history, saints were declared by popular acclamation of the faithful. Rome only took control of canonization in the 14th century. But the older tradition of popular acclamation of saints, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is still recognized in the Orthodox churches today.
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Consistent with the older tradition, Mychal may be properly styled a "Saint". The faithful widely acclaim him as a saint and pray for his help. Even prior to his heroic death on 9/11, he was widely recognized as a living saint for his deep spirituality and his extraordinary works of mercy.
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Most souls in heaven are never formally canonized but they are still saints, living in the beatific presence of God.
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The spiritual reality of Mychal’s sainthood is underscored by at least three medically documented miraculous healings through his intercession (see below). In the end, God makes saints, not Rome.
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As a patron saint, Mychal is actively praying for us in heaven, interceding with God for our prayer intentions. He promised to do so in his last public words on 9/11. As he rushed into the burning tower, Mayor Rudy Giuliani cried out, "Father Mike, pray for us!" Mychal called back, "I always do! I always pray for you!"
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Mychal Judge never sought to be declared a saint. Like all the saints, he was a sinner who sought to do God's will. Saints are not perfect people. Their holiness lies in the fact that they allow God to work through their very imperfect, human lives.
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Mychal Judge was and is a true saint. And like all saints, he should be imitated more than venerated..Saint Mychal Judge, pray for us.
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In his inaugural homily on April 15, 2009,
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan mentioned Mychal Judge, among other Saints, as a model for religious priests, brothers, and sisters. Dolan declared,
"The Risen Christ is alive in consecrated religious, women and men, in whom Elizabeth Ann Seton, Frances Xavier Cabrini, and Mychal Judge find most worthy heirs, as you continue to give the Word flesh in your simplicity of life, charity, and obedience."
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God has granted at least three documented miraculous healings through Mychal’s intercession
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In 1995, doctors told firefighter Joe Kennedy and his wife Christine that her unborn baby had hydrocephaly -- water on the brain, often associated with mental retardation. Mychal prayed intensively for weeks with both parents, laying his hands on mom’s belly. She later gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby girl. [Ford's biography].
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The other two healings were granted after 9/11 when parents prayed to Mychal. A baby boy born with holes in his heart and due for surgery was spontaneously healed. And Matthew Brown's healing may be the first case ever of remission from autism.
(See here -- not noted in the article: Matthew Brown had been diagnosed with autism).
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EDITOR'S NOTE: We at the SMJ website are also aware of two more miraculous healings which have not been published yet. Both in the Boston area, one involved a firefighter who was severely injured in the line of duty and was not expected to live. Immediately following a widespread novena to Fr. Mychal, he suddenly awoke from his coma and was sent home soon after (2007). The other case was of a boy stricken with a severely debilitating virus for which the doctors had no treatment. Following prayers to Fr. Mychal and the boy's reception of Eucharist, the boy suddenly began walking and talking again (2008). In both cases, clothing relics of Fr. Mychal were present.
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+
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New York Daily News:
"Mychal is still saving lives;
can you believe this?!"
The Late Father Mychal Keeps Busy
by Michael Daly: Aug. 3, 2005 -- here
Did Mychal's intercession get this woman life-saving brain surgery? Too many coincidences to be mere coincidence.
.
.
+
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Patron Saint of thousands
.
In life, Mychal Judge ministered in extraordinary imitation of Christ, “like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart…” (Isaiah 40).
.
Many thousands now pray for his intercession for many causes. Those he helped in life, and whom he continues to help include --
.
firefighters and police officers,
children and seniors,
gays and lesbians,
families and single people,
and all those in distress;
.
struggling and recovering alcoholics,
children with autism,
pre-natal and heart conditions,
immigrants and refugees,
the homeless and the hungry,
the sick, injured, and frightened,
people with Aids and HIV,
the bereaved who’ve lost loved ones,
the falsely accused and hostages;
.
those betrayed by Church officials,
those who feel abandoned by God,
those doubting their faith,
those doubting their self-worth,
those awakening to God,
those returning to Christ,
those in spiritual renewal,
and those who minister to
“these the least of My brethren”..
+
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Mychal Judge recognized as Saint
by the Old Catholic Church
& the Orthodox-Catholic Church: here
(Scroll down above page).
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Also see here
("Images of Saints")
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+ Father Mychal Judge,
friend of God and friend of all,
pray for us that we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.

PRAYERS
& Meditations
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Mychal's Prayer:
c. Holy Name Province
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.
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> Hear Mychal's Prayer in Song: here
"Christ calls us to 'Pray without ceasing'. Mychal's prayer was not silenced by hatred, violence, or homophobia. His prayer will not cease but continue unto eternal life. This is most certainly true. Alleluia! Amen."
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Prayer Cards:


Front & back of card.
Actual card is 5 x 2 inches, is on light card stock,
and has sharper features than above.
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(A) to print cards yourself:
and we'll email you a sheet of 8#
as a Word attachment you can print yourself
(free of charge), OR
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(B) to be mailed Mychal prayer cards
and we'll quote you prices to cover printing
and postage for various quantities.
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+
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Serenity Prayer *
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
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* (Mychal was a sober alcoholic
& AA member for 23 years)
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+
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Novena Prayer for Healing
to Fr. Mychal Judge:
by Robert Hickey, c. Mychal's Message
Visit: http://www.MychalsMessage.org

God, our Father,
I ask for your mercy and compassion.
Jesus, our Lord,
I ask for your love and healing.
Holy Spirit, our Comforter,
I ask for your infusion
of the spiritual presence of God.

Holy God, through the intercession of
your servant, Father Mychal Judge,
I humbly ask for healing and good health for (MENTION NAME).

Dear Father Mychal,
friend to all on earth and in heaven,
please take (NAME) by the hand
and lead (HIM/HER) to
the healing power of God
through Our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be)
.
+
.
Thank You, Lord, for Life
by Fr. Mychal Judge *
.
Thank You, Lord, for life.
Thank You for love.
Thank You for goodness.
Thank You for work.
Thank You for family.
Thank You for friends.
Thank You for every gift
because we know
that every gift comes from You, and
without You, we have and are nothing.
.
As we celebrate this day in thanksgiving
to You, keep our hearts and minds open.
Let us enjoy each other's company, and
most of all, let us be conscious of
Your presence in our lives, and in a
special way, in the lives of those who have gone before us. Father, we make our prayer in Jesus' name, who lives with You forever.
.
* (spoken in his Last Homily on Sept. 10, 2001)

+


Prayer in time of loss of loved ones
by Fr. Mychal Judge *

God is present, loving, smiling, having received our loved ones. They are in His presence, illumined by His smile and warmed by His love. His kingdom is enriched this day, so enriched by so many beautiful souls. So much beauty.

Our world is empty without them. Our hearts are broken, our sadness immense, our tears so abundant. We live our sorrow together.
.
We need You, Lord. Please come and touch us. Fill us with courage. Calm our discomfort. Give us signs of Your presence. We ask You, we beg You: come.
.
* (at Memorial Service for TWA flight #800, 7/21/1996)
.
+

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
the Jesus Prayer, often recited by Mychal

+
.Dear Saint Mychal,
come to our assistance
and share your healing grace among us
to give us strength
to carry on your good deeds.
(posted by George G. on Facebook)
.+

.Prayer for Strength with Fr. Mychal Judge *
.Holy God,
Life is unpredictable, and at times frightening.
Give us the strength as you did Father Mychal Judge --
to face our fears head on.
Help us to meet our final moments
with dignity and grace.
Enable us with Your holiness to accept our duties.
With Your compassion, aid us in helping others,
even when our own lives are in jeopardy.
.* written by the 10th graders at Holy Child School, Rye, NY
for Fr. Mychal's birthday: May 11, 2007.
+
.
“Mychal”
by Black 47 (Larry Kirwan)
listen here

In New York City I made my home
I loved the streets, the very stones
Cared for my comrades,
cherished my friends
Loved all beginnings,
had no time for ends
.
The city streets are full of woe
I saw suffering wherever I'd go
I did my best to console and heal
Treat each human with full dignity
.
I never saw a reason to hate
someone who thinks different than you
Each one has their anointed place
In the love reflected in God's face
.
We all have sorrow, our share of trials
We all are sinners in each other's eyes
Love alone can heal the pain
God bestows love in so many ways
.
I have my failings and I have tried
To look them squarely in the eye
To be there when someone might call
For I know cruel well how hard it is to fall
.
I love the company of friends
The fire and the music sparkling
in their eyes
But I achieved my heart's desire
When I rode beside the ones
who fight the fires
.
As I arise on this September morn
The sun is beaming down
the streets are warm
God's in His heaven and all is well
I will go forth and do His will
.
+.

“All shall be well”
Prayer of St. Julian of Norwich (often prayed by Fr. Mychal Judge)
.
In you, Father all-mighty,
we have our preservation and our bliss.
In you, Christ,
we have our restoring and our saving.
You are our mother, brother, and savior.
In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit,
is marvelous and plenteous grace.
You are our clothing;
for love you wrap us and embrace us.
You are our maker, our lover, our keeper.


Teach us to believe that by your grace
all shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well.
Amen.

.

+
.
Prayer when
an Emergency vehicle rushes by
Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy
on the Victims, the Rescuers, and the Healers.
Father Mychal Judge, pray for them.
.
+
.
Prayer for the Church Suffering
(for those Abused by Church officials)
Mercy of God deliver us.
Love of Christ heal us.
Spirit of God enliven us.

Most loving and just Lord, GOD,
pray have mercy on all who are
unjustly hurt, abused, and rejected
by Church leaders who fail
to shepherd Your flock rightly. (Ez 34)

Lord, have mercy on us all;
give us the grace to know Your will more clearly,
and the courage to follow Your ways more nearly,
in the name of Jesus Christ, our true Shepherd.
Amen.

+ Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
+ Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners....
+ Father Mychal Judge, friend of God
and friend of outcasts, pray for us.

+ Follow with a Scripture reading
(suggestions: Ezekiel 34, Matthew 11:28-30,
Mark 6:34-44, or John 10:7-18)
.
+
.
Prayer for Innocent,
Falsely Accused Priests *

They cried out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
Pilate said to them, "I find no guilt in him.
Take him yourselves and crucify him." (John 19)
.
Jesus Christ, Lamb of God,
falsely and maliciously accused by the mob,
have mercy on us.
.
Jesus Christ, Lamb of God,
handed over to death by cowardly authority,
have mercy on us.
.
Jesus Christ, Sun of Justice,
vindicated by your Resurrection,
grant us justice.
.
Father of Truth,
send the light of your Holy Spirit into the darkness
of every false accusation and unjust condemnation.
.
Give strength to the innocent to stand firmly in truth,
as you gave to Jesus, in the face of torture and death.
.
Give courage to church and civil authorities
to grant justice and due process to the innocent,
in the face of the mob.
.
Father of Mercy,
deliver your innocent ones from evil;
grant them speedy justice and vindication,
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Victim and Savior.
.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on all
innocent victims: the abused and the falsely accused.
.
(Follow with Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)
.
* NOTE: Fr. Mychal fought for the vigorous defense of a falsely accused priest in 1988-89. The priest was acquitted when it was shown he'd been framed, and the evidence fabricated. (Ford biography: pp. 120-123).
.
+
.
Patron Saint Prayer at Consecration of
St. Mychal Judge Old Catholic Church,
Dallas, Texas (2002):
.
We praise Thee, O Lord, for the example and assistance given to us by Thy holy Saint Mychal Judge the patron of this church, and we join with him in praying: “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.” Grant us serenity, courage, and wisdom to walk in his footprints doing love and good works, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
.
+
.
Prayer in time of tragedy or disaster *
.
Mercy of God deliver us.
Love of Christ heal us.
Spirit of God strengthen us.
.
Lord, have mercy on all those hurt by (name the event) -- the victims, the injured, the traumatized, the grieving, the rescuers, and the healers.
.
Prince of Peace, grant through your holy Cross where you suffer with all humanity, that we may rise up to new life with you, to be instruments of your Peace.
.
Through Christ our Lord, and the intercession of Fr. Mychal Judge, friend of the injured, rescuers, and the grieving. Amen.

* written in response to the Virgina Tech massacre, 2007
.
+
.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
.
O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
.
+
.
Meditation:
"Falling in love with God"
by Pedro Arrupe, SJ
.
(Because this classic Jesuit meditation describes
how Mychal Judge lived his life, we include it here).
.
Nothing is more practical
than finding God,
than falling in love
in a quite absolute, final way.
.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
.
It will decide what will get you
out of bed in the morning,
what you will do with your evenings,
how you will spend your weekends,
what you read, who you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you
with joy and gratitude.
.
Fall in love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything..
+
.
Do It Anyway, by Mother Teresa
.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
.
The good you do today will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
.
+
..
Now the Green Blade Rises
(trad. French Easter & Christmas hymn, here):
.
Now the green blade rises from the burried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.
.
In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,
Thinking that he'd never, never wake again;
Raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.
.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,
Your touch can call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.
.
+

May your strength give us strength,
May your faith give us faith,
May your hope give us hope,
May your love give us love.
.
Bruce Springsteen: Into the Fire
here (have sound turned up)
.
+
.
Ar Laimh Deas Dia go raibh a Anam go Deo.
(May his soul be at the Right Hand of God Forever!)
.
+
.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

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