SEMINARIAN WHO DONATED ONE OF HIS KIDNEYS TO FELLOW SEMINARIAN ORDAINED AS JESUIT PRIEST
Original story published 2024-09-19 02:26:58
In a remarkable act of faith and service, Father Ryan DWI from Loyola University Chicago made a life-saving donation almost nine years ago by providing a kidney to a fellow Jesuit brother in need. Just a month into his priestly formation, Father DWI responded to an urgent call for help within the Jesuit community. Guided by his belief that God was directing him, he underwent a successful kidney transplant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on December 21, 2015, bringing hope and renewed life to his colleague. The surgery concluded successfully, allowing both men to recuperate in time for the Christmas holidays.
The young seminarian was only a month into his Priestly formation at Loyola University Chicago when he learned about the urgent need. Overwhelmed by a sense of divine calling, he decided to donate his kidney to a fellow Jesuit brother in need. With unwavering faith, he undertook this significant commitment, praying fervently to stay attuned to God’s voice throughout the journey. Brother Ryan D was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital on December 21, 2015, and the complex surgery, though daunting, provided him with an inner peace that he described as feeling completely natural.
The procedure lasted just four hours, and both Brother Ryan D and his fellow brother Edin Berera were discharged from the hospital before Christmas. Reflecting on his experience, Brother Ryan noted the profound spiritual connection to the season of Christ’s birth, which embodies God’s incarnation and ultimate sacrifice for humanity. Now, nine years later, Father Ryan D, who was recently ordained, carries a scar from his generous act—a testament to his deep faith and commitment to Christ’s teachings. This act of selflessness has since influenced his spiritual journey and commitment to serving others in his ministry.
