The Saint of 9/11

I was reading for a small group and felt a man's presence nearby. Suddenly, I was "in" Manhattan during a St. Paddy's Day parade, walking alongside a shining red NYFD firetruck between skyscrapers in my mind's eye. I knew I loved the camaraderie of being part of the fire department, and that I loved to sing. I felt a strong connection across the New Jersey Turnpike. And then I felt as if I was coughing, and suddenly my head hurt.  A woman in the group raised her hand and validated that the connection was for her. She revealed that it was a dear friend of hers, Mychal Judge. Not only was he a Chaplain in the NYFD, and the son of Irish immigrants, but he had also served at a church in New Jersey where this woman had worked with him. 

Chaplain Judge was labeled as the first official victim of the 9/11 attack in NYC as his body was the first to be recovered. You likely saw the famous photo of him being carried out of the rubble by a group of first responders. He perished when the first tower collapsed as he was delivering last rites to the mortally wounded. He was placed on the altar at St Peters and later declared a Saint for his life's work. 

It was an incredible honor to connect with him, and I will forever feel blessed to have met him.