Saint Mychal Judge

MYCHAL JUDGE PRAYER CARDS

To get Mychal prayer cards: contact MychalsPrayer@hotmail.com We'll quote you prices to cover printing and postage for various quantities. . Front & back of card shown below. Actual card is 5" x 2", is on light card stock, and has sharper features than shown.

Index: click these links for contents:

> Mychal's Life (Books, Film, Stories)

> Mychal's Heroic Death: details

> Mychal After 9/11 (Reflections, Honors, Continuing work, Organizations)

> Sainthood, Miracles, Patron Saint

> a Gay Saint in fact

> Quotes by & about Mychal Judge

> Prayers + Prayer Cards

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.

"Directly in line with God"

Even before his heroic death on 9/11, many saw Mychal Judge as 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.”

Excerpts from the

Last Homily of
FDNY Chaplain, Father Mychal Judge,

at Mass for Firefighters: Sept. 10, 2001

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…

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.

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.

See full text of Mychal's Last Homily here

Buy DVD of Mychal's Last Homily here

(all proceeds help the poor and homeless)

Home

Mychal's Life & Death

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)
> purchase the DVD here
.

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

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

Wikipedia article:

"Mychal F. Judge" here

In our opinion, a good basic biography.

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

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

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 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 here.

Biography/ Article:

No Greater Love:

Chaplain Mychal Judge, OFM.

A Franciscan biography in

St. Anthony's Messenger -- here

“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.

See also:

Quotes by & about Mychal Judge

for more stories and examples of his life.

Click here

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)

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

Father Mychal Judge:
God's Spirit in Sandals
Anthology of personal stories by some who knew him.
Available online here

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).

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."
.
.

Printed 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.”
.
Video interview with Book of Mychal
author Michael Daly here
What drove Mychal? "Mychal was unshakably convinced that God didn't scowl, that God smiled."

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.

(Brendan Fay, St. Pat's for All)

NPR Report:
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

Article, New York magazine:
The Firemen's Friar -- here
"Judge was gregarious, mischievous, a luminous presence...he was everybody's priest."

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."

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."

"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.
.
Ballad:
“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

+ Father Mychal Judge, friend of God

and friend of all, pray for us.

Home

Mychal: After 9/11

USA Today:
The Making of St. Mychal,
including reports of two miraculous healings through Father Mychal Judge's intercession -- Click here

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

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).

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."

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".

“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”.

Reflections:

Steven McDonald on

Mychal Judge and Forgiveness

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.

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

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."

Other Reflections:

Pope’s Prayer at Ground Zero here

Irish Prime Minister pays tribute here

by Ellis Henican (Newsday) here

by Magic Mike here

..
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
.
.Animated Cartoon (Mother Jones):
Gays not suited for the priesthood?
Think again....
Click here (have sound turned up)
..
.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)

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

Video clip:

"Following Father Judge" --here

Father Christopher Keenan,

Mychal's successor as FDNY chaplain

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.

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.

Mychal Judge nominated for
Congressional Gold Medal --
nation's highest civilian honor here

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."

here

Mychal awarded

Presidential Medal of Valor -here

Faithful flock to Fr. Mychal's grave

New York Daily News (May, 2008) here

Photo Essay: Father Mychal Judge

New York Daily News (May, 2008) here

Pres. Bush cites Mychal's Prayer,

Mychal's Message, Shannon Hickey

at National Prayer Breakfast (2007)--

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..."

here

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.

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”.

Father Mychal Judge, friend of God

and friend of all, pray for us.

How beautiful are the feet of him who brings the Gospel of peace, announcing salvation and that God is your king! (Isaiah 52)

Organizations

continuing Mychal's work:

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

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
.
.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

.
.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
.
.

The Father Mychal Judge Center
for Irish Exchange & Understanding
at St. Bonaventure University: here

.
Holy Name Province (OFM):
Fr. Mychal's Franciscan order
(Order of Friars Minor, founded by St. Francis)
here
.
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
.
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
.
.Annual Fr. Mychal Judge
9/11 Mass, Boston: here

Home

+ First steps initiated for Beatification of Father Mychal Judge (July, 2017):

...

Fr. Dr. Luis Fernando Escalante, JCD, a Roman Postulator for the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes. says that Fr. Mychal Judge clearly fits Pope Francis' new category of a heroic giver of one’s own life, and that Judge should be considered for beatification and eventual canonization to Sainthood.

Fr. Escalante invites those who knew Fr. Mychal, and those who are recipients of miracles and graces though his intercession, to share their information. See details here

Is Mychal Judge a saint?

by John M. Kelley

Mychal Judge is already a saint whether or not he is ever formally canonized.

Both as a spiritual fact by the grace of God, and by widespread acclamation of the faithful, Mychal Judge is a true saint.

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.

.
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.

Most souls in heaven are never formally canonized but they are still saints, living in the beatific presence of God.

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.

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!"
.
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.
.
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.

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."

God has granted at least three documented miraculous healings through Mychal’s intercession

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].

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).

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.

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.

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;