Page 31 - March On! God will Provide by Brother Aubert

WAITING FOR A SOLUTION I I
the town rvrites as of July 8, 1946, that the disease was
something akin to Spanish influenza. From its first
appearance in June, 1826, it reached alarming propor-
tions in October, gradually subsiding until February,
1827, when it appeared to be under conrol.
Mr. Ryken remained on ar the hospital until trIay 8th.
To this corporal work of mercy he liad devoted himself
for at least five months. [Ie was, as Dr. Van Loon
pointed out, a volunteer unpaid worker. Money for
himself was never of any importance to Theodore Ryken.
After NIr. Ryken had severed his connection with the
Groningen Hospital, he remained in the town for several
weeks. There is a Xaverian tradition that he remained
because he was very ill. "He almost fell a victim to his
devotion," according to Brother Ferdinand De Muynck
who was one of his novices. "An attack of typhoid fever
carried him to the edge of the grave. According to his
own words, he would have been very happy to have thus
ended his days and to have ofiered his life to his Saviour."
Theodore Ryken may have been ill sometime during
the winter but by spring, he was a perfectly sound speci-
men, sound enough to start ofi on a thousand-miie hike
and to complete it in spite of the heat of an Italian
summer.
He stayed on in Groningen until at leasr }day 26, IBZZ.
lfe was busily collecting tesrimonials as to his character
and worth. He had a purpose which Dr. Van Loon
had hinted at: "I presented to him this certificare in
order that it may be eventually useful to him."
Still preserved in the Ryken files are ar leasr eight
testimonials in addition to one from Dr. Van Loon.
Among those who vouched for him were the Archpriest
of the town, the Burgomaster, the civilian director of
the hospital, the military surgeon of the same institution,