Father Mychal Judge was the first official victim of the 9/11 terror attacks. On Sept. 11, 2001, he raced from his midtown Engine Company One / Ladder Company 24 to the twin towers to pray for the people trapped, for the rescuers and for humanity.
His legacy of hope and service lives on a quarter century after his death. The south tower collapsed as he prayed inside the north tower lobby, and a French film crew captured his final moments.
Judge’s Death in the North Tower Lobby
Judge was praying for people jumping from the fire and smoke on the upper floors when the south tower collapsed. The collapse sent forth a tsunami of concrete and steel.
Duffy recalled learning of Judge’s death while at his soup kitchen in Philadelphia. “I had no doubt that when the plane hit the building, that he would be there,” Duffy said.
An image of Judge’s body being carried from the rubble became one of the enduring symbols of the attacks. Duffy said the picture represented the 2,000 people who died and the helplessness of goodness being overcome by evil.
The two men first met in the 1970s as Franciscan priests assigned to the same parish in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Duffy said Judge became a mentor without officially being a mentor.
A Homily Delivered After the Death
Duffy delivered a homily after Judge’s death. He said, “Today we will bury Mychal Judge. We will bury his body, but not his spirit.”
“I pray for him every day,” Duffy said. “And I think whenever there’s excitement around or a fire truck or an ambulance or somebody need consolation, I think, ‘Mychael Judge would be right there with them.'”
Duffy also remembered Judge’s humility. “He had no airs about him, like he was better or standoffish,” Duffy said. “So if you want to share what’s really going on in your life, you want to gravitate to the most receptive person and that was him.”
The Funeral Homily at 31st Street
Four days after Judge’s death, Duffy traveled to New York to deliver the homily at his funeral, as Judge had wanted. Thousands gathered at the church on 31st Street.
Even in death, Duffy said Judge left behind a message of service and compassion. “We will bury his hands, but not his good works,” Duffy said, repeating the lines from his homily at Judge’s funeral. “We come to bury his heart, but not his love. Never his love.”
Judge’s Life Before 9/11
Judge was born in Brooklyn and shined shoes near the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on 31st Street before joining the Franciscan order. He was appointed FDNY chaplain in 1992 and ministered to people from all walks of life.
“There’s another part of him that I don’t know if too many people know that about him, he loved to be where the action was,” Duffy said.
Months after 9/11, Father Judge’s gear and helmet were recovered. They are now on display at the New York City Fire Museum, alongside the FDNY memorial.
The Icon That Remains
Duffy said the picture of Judge’s body being carried from the rubble symbolized the emptiness felt after the attacks. “That brought it concretely, that’s why we feel empty,” he said.
The image remains one of the most enduring symbols of the attacks. It represents 2,000 people and the helplessness of goodness being overcome by evil.
Judge’s legacy continues through his service and compassion. Even in death, his spirit remains.
Key Facts Box
- Date: Sept. 11, 2001
- Victim count: 2,000 people
- Chaplain appointed: 1992
- Funeral attendance: Thousands gathered at 31st Street
- Museum display: New York City Fire Museum
- Homily repeated: “We will bury his hands, but not his good works.”
Source: abc7.com
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