Since 2001, this 11th day of September is a day of memorial for many of us. As US poet laureate Billy Collins' ode to those who perished in the 9/11 attacks concludes, "So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart."
On this day, I always recall the life, love, and legacy of Father Mychal Judge, Roman Catholic priest and chaplain to the Fire Department of New York. He was not the first to die that day, but he was the first casualty certified by the medical examiner. I look for his name when I visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York. I think of the photo here, one of the most iconic images of that day: a first-responder pietá, first responders carrying Chaplain Judge, Father Myke, from the rubble of the towers where he died rushing in to comfort others who were injured and dying.
I also recall, on this day and many other days, a wonderful prayer attributed to Father Mychal:
Guide me where you want me to go;
Show me who you want me to know;
Give me what you want me to say;
Help me to stay out of your way.
Amen.
Requiescat in pace, Chaplain Mychal and all those who perished that day.
Requiescat in pace, all those of our community and parish family who have died these last two weeks: Peter Graniela, Darcell Deane, Scott Conner, Christopher Mario, and all others.
May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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