Francis Cleary, S.J., fell Tuesday, April 2 in Jesuit Hall. The incident happened Tuesday evening, but he was not discovered until the following afternoon.

The Theology Department called Jesuit Hall to inquire about Cleary when he did not show up to teach.

Cleary has a disease of the nervous system called neuropathy, causing a weakening in the motor ability of his legs.

Cleary’s legs collapsed on him while he was in his quarters, and he landed on his walking cane. Cleary broke five ribs in the fall.

He was unable to move, and no one at Jesuit Hall realized that he had fallen.

Cleary was initially taken to St. Mary’s Hospital. He is currently at Alexian Brothers Lansdowne Village, a rehab/nursing facility, where he is undergoing medical care and receving physical therapy.

Cleary will have to go through intensive therapy on his legs so that he can get up and walk again.

Cleary will return to Jesuit Hall on Tuesday and will be living in the special-care area. He still needs nursing to help him get around and do things. “The mobility I had, before is not the same and my illness has gotten much worse,” said Cleary.

Cleary is a theology professor at Saint Louis University. He has been involved with the University since the late ’40s, when he was a student. He returned in 1979 after he completed studies in Europe.

This semester he is teaching “Evil and the Demonic in Christian Traditions” and “Old Testament.” John Mueller, S.J., chair of the theology department, is covering his courses.

Cleary will be out the rest of the spring semester and is uncertain when he will be back to full mobility.

“The University is fabulous, and it gets better every year,” said Cleary. “The students are careful about the work they do, and it is a real privilege to be able to teach at the University.”