9|11 DVD Review
I thought that I had not forgotten, but after watching this DVD on the seventh year anniversary of that tragic day, I realized that I had forgotten the feelings that I felt that day and the weeks following. This film is amazing, but at the same time paralyzing.
Originally this film was supposed to be a documentary about a probie/rookie firefighter named Tony, but it became so much more. This documentary is very real and at times hard to watch. Especially when you can hear bodies and debris falling to the ground. And then the sound of the floors letting go — collapsing one after the other. It’s a miracle that some of these guys made it out alive. However Fr. Mychal Judge (also known as “Chaplain”) did not make it.
Fr. Mychal was featured in a documentary entitled “Saint of 9/11“. His body was carried out by these firemen and laid in St. Peters Church upon the altar. In both films Father Mychal is seen in the lobby of the first tower praying continuously. You couldn’t hear him, but you could see him mouthing prayers as deep concern took over his facial expression. He was a man of great faith and he helped so many people. And God may not have answered all of his prayers that day, but every firefighter from Engine 7, Ladder 1 made it back to the station alive.
This film is a must see! This is not a movie for children. It is real. You are there. You will be overcome with emotions as if time were frozen on this day which took place just seven years ago. Jules and Gedeon Naudet, two brother filmmakers, have preserved this footage so that we may never forget this day. So that we may never forget how we felt that September morning. Both Jules and Gedeon survived which is a miracle in of itself. When you see the footage you will agree.
Each year, in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, I reflect back on and pray. I pray for their families. I pray for those who lost friends. I pray for those who have forgotten. And I pray for those who would do such a horrible act. God bless America. And God Bless our men and women serving our country. Amen †
11 Sep 2008 Catholic Tech Tips
This often annoyed the church hierarchy. But like his spiritual father St. Francis of Assisi, Mychal reported directly to a Higher Authority, as evidenced by several medically documented, miraculous healings through him.
Here’s the last Homily he gave, on Sept. 10, 2001, at a Mass for firefighters, but it’s really a call to all of us –
from
http://SaintMychalJudge.blogspot.com
“You do what God has called you to do.
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.”
Father Mychal, pray for us.
I can understand how some within the church could be “annoyed”, or concerned rather, by his work with gays and lesbians. As I watched “The Saint of 9/11″ movie, I felt a little uneasy about the part of the film where they talked about his work with, and his own homosexual experience (as Innocent as it was). I kind of felt like they were trying to push an agenda by putting this in the film. My only concern is that people might try and make Father Mychal F. Judge the patron Saint of the homosexual agenda/movement, when that was not what he was about. He was about the hurting soul and all of the other things that you mentioned.
My heart goes out to those with same-sex attractions, especially those struggling with the temptation of those promoting the homosexual lifestyle. Courage is a great apostolate within the Church to support people with same-sex attractions. You can read testimonies of some of the members of Courage Here.
Thanks again for taking the time to post the comment and I will be sure to check out your blog.
In Christ,
Joshua