Father Leo Ryska OBITUARY

Father Leo Ryska OBITUARY

Father Leo Ryska, a monk of Marmion Abbey in Aurora, Illinois, died on October 20, 2026, at Tabor Hills Care Facility in Naperville. He was 93.

Born John Ryska in Chicago on April 9, 1933, Father Leo was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on March 30, 1959. He served in numerous leadership and educational roles throughout his monastic life, including Provincial of the Midwest Province of the Servites, Provost and Vice Rector of St. Meinrad College, and Abbot of St. Benedict Abbey in Benet Lake, Wisconsin, from 1993 to 2000. He also served as confessor at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome and as President of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy Foundation.

In 2015, Father Leo transferred his monastic stability to Marmion Abbey, where he continued to assist with sacramental ministry and contribute to the spiritual life of the community.

The monastic community will receive Father Leo’s body at Marmion Abbey Church on Friday, October 23, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Office of the Dead will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday, October 24, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place in the Abbey Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Daleiden Mortuary of Aurora, Illinois.