Servant of God Father Patrick Ryan, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish from 1872 to 1878, was a shepherd who gave his life in ministering to his flock. He died a martyr's death in the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 when he was only 33 years old.
Patrick Ryan was born in 1845 near Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland. He entered St. Vincent's college, Cape Girardeau, Missouri in October, 1866. He was ordained a priest in the summer of 1869 at the Cathedral in Nashville by Bishop P. A. Feehan. 
After his ordination, Father Ryan was appointed pastor of Clarksville and its missions. For three years, Father Ryan ministered to the people of Clarksville, Cedar Hill, Edgefield Junction, and the surrounding territory. At Gallatin he built a church, which served the congregation for many years. He took charge of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga on July 10, 1872.
The parish, since the beginning, had always maintained a school for its children under the supervision of the priests. In 1876, Father Ryan brought in sisters of the Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia congregation of Nashville and turned the old presbytery into a school and convent. 
In September 1878, a yellow fever epidemic hit the city. Four-fifths of the city's population fled, and 366 citizens lost their lives. 
Father Ryan is described by an eyewitness as "going from house to house in the worst-infected section of the city to find what he could do for the sick and needy." He continued ministering to his flock after he himself had contracted the dread disease - to within 48 hours of his death. He was stricken on Sept. 26. On the morning of the 27th, he was reported much worse, but the evening of that same day he was visited by Dr. Luke Blackburn (afterward Governor of Kentucky) who reported that everything seemed to favor recovery.
"He was cheerful and chatty," said Dr. Blackburn, and remarked was that Bishop Feehan had telegraphed asking how he was. "I told him if he wished I would send a dispatch to the Bishop on reaching the telegraph office. This I did, saying 'Father Ryan is much better and will recover, I think.' When I heard of Father's death, it astonished me more than an earthquake would have done."
The heroic priest died Sept. 28, after having received the last sacraments from the hands of his younger brother, the Reverend Michael Ryan. 
You can learn more about Father Ryan and the Cause for his Canonization at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul website.

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