In the wake of the tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Fr. Frederick Edlefsen, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Arlington, Virginia, stepped forward to bring solace to those grappling with unimaginable loss. His presence that night reminded many of the vital role priests play during times of crisis.
The crash, which occurred near Reagan National Airport, involved a collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors among the 60 passengers, four crew members, and three soldiers who were aboard.
A call to be present
Fr. Edlefsen had just finished a long day when he checked his phone and saw the heartbreaking news, as he shared with Colm Flynn on EWTN News Nightly:
“I felt it was really my duty. I felt an impulse — call it the gifts of the Holy Spirit or guardian angel... the airport is within the boundaries of my parish; we have a lot of travelers from Reagan Airport, airline personnel come to our Masses, and so on. So I felt: I need to be there.”
Understanding the magnitude of the tragedy, with the help of a parishioner and Knight of Columbus with a background in law enforcement, the priest was able to access the secure area at the airport.
“We were able to be present, not only to the grieving families but also to the personnel who, when they went to work this morning, they didn’t know this was going to hit them,” Fr. Edlefsen explained.
Ministry of quiet support
The devoted priest spent hours with the families, listening, offering prayers, and simply being a calming presence as they awaited word on their loved ones. By 1:30 a.m., officials delivered the devastating confirmation: there were no survivors.
Fr. Edlefsen went on to share just how heart-wrenching the news was for the family emphasizing the raw intensity of the grief. In fact he described it as “probably one of the most intense grief moments and situations I’ve ever seen in my own almost 24 years of priesthood.”
Priests as spiritual first responders
Fr. Edlefsen’s actions underscore the often unseen but critical role priests play during personal and public crises. In disasters ranging from natural calamities to tragedies like this crash, priests are called to be sources of spiritual strength and comfort.
After the 9/11 attacks, priests ministered to victims and first responders amid chaos. Indeed Fr. Mychal Judge, a chaplain for the New York Fire Department, became one of the tragedy’s first named casualties.
During Hurricane Katrina, clergy celebrated Mass in evacuation centers and offered emotional and spiritual support to displaced families. Even in quieter but equally devastating personal crises — such as a sudden loss or a health emergency — priests provide a reassuring presence, offering blessings, prayers, or simply an ear to listen.
“It’s not about having all the right words,” Fr. Edlefsen reflected. “The backstop here and the presumption is you don’t say anything. You’re just present. You listen.”
Sometimes, the simplest gestures are the most meaningful. “It’s more often than not OK to say, ‘Can we pray together?’ And it has to be simple and short,” he explained. “But right now the best thing is to say nothing. Presence is what’s important and reassurance of your presence.”
A visible sign of hope
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Fr. Edlefsen emphasized the importance of the Church being visibly present during such moments. “To have the Church visibly present is absolutely key,” he said. “Maybe a willingness to pray, maybe give someone a blessing if they ask for it.”
The devastation caused by this crash is a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. But Fr. Edlefsen’s actions demonstrate that even in the darkest moments, compassion and faith can shine through. Priests like him remind us that no one needs to face grief alone—and that the Church is always ready to walk alongside those who are suffering, offering strength, solace, and hope.
If you look at the video below, you can see the full interview with EWTN:
