Canonization Cause for Father Patrick Ryan Moves Forward feedproxy.google.com

Father Patrick Ryan refused to abandon his flock. During the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, four-fifths of the population of Chattanooga, Tennessee, fled to avoid the life-threatening disease. But even as the yellow fever ravaged the city, with most patients succumbing within days of their exposure, the young priest continued to go from house to house in the worst-infected area of the city, offering sacraments and prayer for the sick and needy.

Not unexpectedly, Father Ryan himself contracted the disease — but even then, he continued to minister to his flock until two days before his death. Father Ryan was diagnosed on Sept. 26, 1878, and died just two days later at the age of 33…

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