The mystery priest who appeared and then seemed to disappear at the site of a car crash in Missouri has been revealed. The appearance of the mystery priest led many to call the scene of the accident a miracle. The mystery priest has been a member of the Diocese of Jefferson City and has been a priest since 1982. The mystery priest prayed with Katie Lentz as authorities tried to pull her from the car after the accident left her pinned between the steering wheel and the seat.

The identity of the mystery priest was revealed as Rev. Patrick Dowling. Fr. Dowling works in prison ministry. He also works with Spanish-speaking parishioners. The mystery was solved by a comment about the August 4 accident he left on the National Catholic Register that read, "I absolved and anointed Katie, and, at her request, prayed that her leg would not hurt. Then I stepped aside to where some rescue personnel and the pilot were waiting, and prayed the rosary silently." '

In the comment, the mystery priest said he was on the highway because he was filling in for another priest who had called in sick. The mystery priest said it was the Highway Patrol who saved Lentz’s life because they "worked as harmoniously as a Swiss watch despite the critical nature of the scene."

The comment has since been taken down.

What made the priest so mysterious is that authorities claimed that he appeared out of nowhere and didn’t show up in any photographs of the accident scene. The mystery priest was also reported to have disappeared without being seen.

Rev. Dowling said there was no mystery. He said he told a deputy who he was before he left the scene.

The diocese of Jefferson City put out a press release confirming the identity of the mystery priest as Rev. Patrick Dowling. The statement said “Fr. Dowling said that he is pleased that he was able to help by performing his ministry and noted that that he was just one of many who responded to assist the victim at the accident."

Rev. Patrick Dowling’s comment on the bulletin follows:

“I had Mass in Ewing MO as the regular priest was sick. As I was returning, I arrived at the scene. The authorities were redirecting traffic. I waited till it was possible to drive up closer. I parked behind a large vehicle about 150 yards from the scene. I asked the Sheriff's permission and approached the scene of the accident.

“I absolved and anointed Katie, and, at her request, prayed that her leg would not hurt. Then I stepped aside to where some rescue personnel and the pilot were waiting, and prayed the rosary silently. I left when the helicopter was about to take off, and before I got to my car it was on its way to Quincy.

“I was amazed at the calmness of the two Highway patrol men. The sergeant was completely in control, amazingly calm. Everybody worked as harmoniously as a Swiss watch despite the critical nature of the scene. I gave my name to one of the authorities, perhaps to the sergeant of Highway Patrol, explaining that I was returning having celebrated Mass at Ewing. It was the sergeant who, at the Sheriff's request, gave me Katie's name as I was leaving, so I could visit her in hospital -- I assumed she would be taken to Columbia.

“I think there may have been angels there too and, in this context, I congratulate the fire team from New London and Hannibal, the Sheriff/deputies of Ralls County, the Highway Patrol personnel, the helicopter team, the nurses and all who worked so professionally. God has blessed your work. I hope the credit goes where it is due.”

Katie Lentz is still hospitalized.