Posted on 03/18/2014 9:17:08 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
Yesterday while on his way to the Perpetual Adoration chapel at his parish church in Steubenville, Fr Ray fell on the steps and suffered very serious injuries. Barring a miracle, he is not expected to recover. He is unconscious and receiving palliative care at the hospital in Steubenville.
Father Ray was the second married convert clergyman ordained priest under the Pastoral Provision. Those, especially, who attend Anglican Use parishes will want to join their prayers to those of Fr Ray's friends and family.
Father is a native of Crescent, Oklahoma, and was chaplain at Cassidy School in OKC at the time of his reception into the Catholic Church in 1963. Some of you have connections to Cassidy or to Father Ray's Oklahoma days. You might spread the word among people there who remember him.
The Pere Abbe of Fontgombault composed a prayer several years ago in honor of Notre Dame du Bien Mourir, whose 14th century statue is in the nave of the abbey church. The prayer asks for the grace 'a bien mourir' - to die well - a happy death - a grace we pray God to grant Father Ray.
The prayer also asks for the grace 'a bien vivre' - to live well, to be faithful to the promises of our baptism. By that standard, Fr Ray has lived as well as anyone I know.
May God be close to his much-beloved beloved wife Ruth and their five children, all the grandchildren and the four great-grandchildren during this sad time. May God united them in love, and keep them united and safe forever.
Catholic pings, please.
Prayers sent to Heaven.
Pings, please.
Oops, sorry for the double post. But I’ll pray double.
Prayers up for him and family.
I live in Steubenville and our family belongs to the diocese. Prayers up! Out of curiosity, where did he fall?
‘a bien mourir’ , What a wonderful prayer. Father, I pray you have a peaceful passing to the other side, I also pray for your family that will be left behind, most especially your beloved wife.
Prayers up for Father Ray!
O Blessed St. Joseph, who gave up your last breath in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for Fr. Ryland, I beseech you, the grace of a happy death. Defend him from all evil, especially in his final hour. Assist him by your presence, protect him by your power, and obtain for him this grace, O holy St. Joseph, that he may breathe forth his soul in praise, saying in spirit, if he is unable to do so in words: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and life. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph for a Happy Death
O Glorious St. Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special patron in life and at the hour of my death. Preserve and increase in me the spirit of prayer and fervor in the service of God. Remove far from me every kind of sin; obtain for me that my death may not come upon me unawares, but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally and to bewail them with a most perfect understanding and a most sincere and perfect contrition, in order that I may breathe forth my soul into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen
If you would like to be included on this prayer ping list, please send me a FReepmail.
Prayers for a wonderful man I was granted the privilege to know. I asked him, back when my wife was an Episcopalian, what I could do to bring her into the church. Several years later, I was able to introduce my now-Catholic wife to him on the campus at Steubenville.
Prayers up, a very god and gentle soul.
Fr. Ryland taught at USD when I was there. I regret that I never had him for a class.
Amen.
Prayers up.
I'm thinking he was born around 1925, which would make him around 89-90. He and Ruth and 5 children , 22 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He's also got books, tapes and I think videos on YouTube. And thousands of former students to whom he is/was a real spiritual father. A prolific, brilliant, and deeply, tenderly-loving man. His heart is the Lord's, all the way. Here and hereafter. Amen.
May God receive his soul!
Prayers for God’s blessings.
Prayers for him.
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