Mystery, Miracle Priest and Survivor Reunited!

That priest was later revealed as being Rev. Patrick Dowling, a Kilkenny, Ireland native, and a minister at the Jefferson City Diocese in Missouri.

Katie Lentz is the crash survivor who is recovering, and although wasn’t expected to live, is “going to walk again,” says her mother. (Visit the website Katie’s family created to support her recovery: www.roadsidemiracle.com)

Today (Sep 20) is Katie’s 20th birthday, and she’ll be receiving the wonderful present of meeting the “miracle” priest whose prayer gave her—and those working to set her free from the wreckage of what was her car—the strength and hope to hang on.

At the time of the accident, the first responders were having great difficulty extricating her from her mangled vehicle, and her “vitals were failing quickly” according to reports.

It was then that Katie made a simple request to “pray out loud” that suddenly brought the help they all needed as Rev. Dowling arrived on the scene, anointed her with oil and prayed by her side.

The rescuers were then able to take her from the car into the ambulance in time to save her.

Katie’s mother said, “We are so thankful for the simple message our Katie spoke from the very beginning—for everyone around her to pray out loud. That message went around the world, and was propelled by the mystery priest we now know as Father Dowling, who just happened upon the accident and he offered his prayers.”

Although Rev. Dowling already visited Katie in the hospital, it was very brief since her condition was so critical, but now he’ll be reunited with Katie at her Illinois home this afternoon, in time for a very special birthday celebration.

“The Bible tells us the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord,” said Katie’s mother. “And I believe Father Dowling was at the right place at the right time.”

“There are so many reasons she should have perished,” she added. “When you see the pictures from the crash, you say to yourself, ‘God is good.'”