Right Reverend Patrick Thomas Ryan, DD

Biography

Born: December 5, 1864
Ordained: December 21, 1887
Nominated Auxiliary Bishop of Pembroke: May 6, 1912
Consecrated: July 25, 1912
Named Bishop of Pembroke: August 7, 1916
Died: April 15, 1937

Bishop Ryan was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in 1864, and was brought to Canada by his parents at the age of 5. He received all of his formative education in Pembroke and was 18 years of age at the beginnings of the Vicariate Apostolic of Pontiac. According to local lore, he was the first priest to be ordained by Bishop Lorrain in 1887. He served four years as Bishop’s Secretary.

In 1891, he was appointed pastor of Mount St. Patrick Parish. Then he was appointed pastor of Renfrew in 1893. He was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Pembroke July 25, 1912, by Archbishop Charles H. Gauthier of Ottawa. Bishop Ryan remained in residence in Renfrew for two more years until 1914, when he was made administrator of the Diocese on account of Bishop Lorrain’s failing health. Bishop Lorrain died in December 1915. Bishop Ryan was appointed Bishop of Pembroke August 7, 1916, and formally installed on December 21, 1916.

As administrator, he called on the services of Reverend Patrick Dowdall, who became his close associate in the formation of St. Jospeh’s Motherhouse in 1921, the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Motherhouse in 1926, and the great number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

The priests and Sisters who remembered him loved him. Devoted to his Eucharistic Lord, Bishop Ryan encouraged the Forty Hours Devotion in the parishes of the diocese and also a fraternal spirit among his priests. On April 15, 1937, he was called suddenly to the Lord, widely mourned by all who came under his care.

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