Father Mychal's Blessing: Remembering the September 11 Victim Who Died Praying for Others

“We come to bury his heart, but not his love. Never his love.”
Father Michael Duffy recalls delivering the sermon for his close friend, Father Mychal Judge, who was the first certified fatality of the September 11th attacks. Father Michael remembers Father Mychal’s endearing mannerisms, his constant positivity, and, above all, his profound impact on everyone he knew.
Directed by
Richard O’Connor
Executive Producers
Dave Isay
Rachel Hartman
Producer
Savannah Winchester
Senior Audio Producer
Dave Isay
Audio Produced by
Michael Garofalo
Audio Co-Produced by
Eve Claxton
Supervising Sound Recordist
Michael Garofalo
Audio Mixed By
Jarrett Floyd
Animation by
Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., LLC
Character Design
Taisiya Zatetskaya
Animators
Emmett Goodman
Shannon Baney
Taisiya Zaretskaya
Art Production & Background Design
Natalie Greene
Shannon Baney
Original Music
Joshua Abrams
Music Performed by
Joshua Abrams
Hamid Drake
Marquis Hill
Emmett Kelly
Adam Thornburg
Music Mixed by
Joshua Abrams
Neil Strauch
Outro Music
“That Kid in Fourth Grade Who Really Liked the Denver Broncos” by Chris Zabriskie
From the Album Undercover Vampire Policeman
Published by You've Been a Wonderful Laugh Track
Special Thanks
Father Michael Duffy
In Partnership with
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
NPR
POV
Funding Provided by
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
A private corporation funded by the American people.
Leading Support for StoryCorps by
Acton Family Giving
Fetzer Institute
The Kaplen Brothers Fund
Copyright © StoryCorps 2021. All Rights Reserved.

[@minervamclitchie3667]

Father Mycal was a friend of mine. We met when I was working with the homeless. He also did the right thing. We helped each other find places for homeless people to live, hungry people to eat. His death left me with a big hole in my heart. I'm not religious, but I hope to meet him again after I die. He was my friend.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

I'd hoped there would be new animations now that the 20th anniversary is coming up. Thank you for this.

[@SignoftheStar]

Franciscan novice in America studying to become a friar. Proud to have Brother Mychal's legacy.

[@9386AliG]

Haven’t heard a 9/11 story for a long time. I can still remember when StoryCorps had their three stories about the victims of 9/11 and I learned about them for the first time

[@MaximusRequiem]

These never fail to squeeze a tear out of me. Even in the worst times, you'll find good people. And I'm glad story corps is hear to celebrate those people. I'd love it if there was one for over countries as well. Cheers from across the pond 🇬🇧

[@hollyhobgoblin8838]

Very impactful to hear him mention the names yet to be recorded as the bodies had not yet all been recovered at that point. I was only a little kid at the time of the event, so my understanding of the tragedy didn't truly manifest until later in life, but hearing his speech brought me back to being 9 for a moment. The animation did a great job of keeping up with all of the jumping around in time and conveying the emotions of the story.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

Holly, I was around the same age - my folks did their best to answer my questions, but I know that a lot of it didn't sink in for me immediately.

[@gmg9010]

It’s gonna be 20 years soon that’s crazy I was 5 months old on that day

[@leatherface4262]

My mother found out she was pregnant with me the day after

[@Dog-Lover36]

I was Sophomore in high school when this incident occurred. Such events feel very scary. I enjoy reading and watching less news these days to not feel appalled and distressed over scary news.

[@AnimationFanboy2k4]

Pray for the victims of the attacks... 😭

[@synneje]

This is so powerful!! Thank you!

[@TravisLoneWolfWalsh]

He was a hero and a saint RIP Father Judge

[@PogieJoe]

Always so pleased to have a new video.

[@krzlcve]

very heartwarming and emotional

[@norenesullivan9816]

Love this!!!

[@Black_Jesus3005]

Who’s cutting onions up in here?😢

[@sallem5844]

Thank you for what you do StoryCorps

[@leatherface4262]

20 years wow

[@Bluesloversrv]

🙏

[@seanparker4495]

First

[@TheSONJAHOWARD]

These 2 animations have brought me to tears. So sorry for the death of this precious man who gave so much and for the man suffering from the misunderstanding and cruelty of others. But also so sorry for our nation’s loss of compassion and morality since 9/11. Tears of despair for the country I feel we’ve lost.

[@blueberrymcphuckerson9821]

01:00 100% Understandable. Public Speaking scary af.

[@AcesizOfficial]

I miss these videos 🇬🇧🙏🏽

[@brainflash1]

Yes you do Mychal. Yes you do.

[@ambereyes1987]

😢😢😢

[@Benji-Lindz]

I'm not crying. You're crying.