On Saturday, 19th July 2025, we gathered in St John’s Cathedral as Fr Ryan Browne was ordained to the priesthood, a significant milestone marking the beginning of his ministry. As he begins this new chapter of service and ministry, Fr Ryan reflects on the path that led him here. In the interview below, he shares personal insights into his calling, his formation, and what it means to him to serve as a priest.

1. Vocational Calling

Can you share the moment or period in your life when you first felt called to the priesthood?

• I wouldn’t say there was a particular moment, but looking back I can see when I was about five years of age that I wanted to be a priest. I used to practice saying Mass at home, usually pretending by using large white, chocolate buttons to copy the priest elevating the host! Seriously though, I have always sensed God’s closeness to me, and He has always pulled on my heartstrings.

Was there a person or event that particularly influenced your decision to enter the seminary?

• I wouldn’t put it down to one person or event, but over the course of my life I’ve had so many great role models, whose love for the Lord really did inspire me. My parish priest growing up, Fr John Dunne, was an incredible witness in his vocation to the priesthood. I would say people like him influenced me to go deeper and think seriously about the priesthood and entering seminary.

What was the most surprising part of discerning your vocation?

• Discovering that God calls me entirely. He doesn’t just want me as Ryan the priest – yes this is my vocation and the way I live out my love for God – but it isn’t me entirely. Asked once, “who are you?” Pope Francis replied, “I am a sinner.” I would say the same. God calls me in my saintly moments, but He also calls Ryan the sinner as well. God can do marvels with our human weakness. Remember in the Gospels, Jesus could even use useless dust and a bit of spittle to make the blind man see. So too with us, the Lord can take those things we even dislike about ourselves and transform them in loving service.

2. Seminary Life

Going into seminary, what were your expectations—spiritually, academically, and personally?

• Looking in the rear-view mirror, I would say I was a little naïve when I joined the seminary at 23 years old. I think I had too high expectations for myself and for the seminary system. We must remember that seminaries, although are there to form priests, are human institutions and have their strengths and weaknesses. The seminary calendar is always packed. From 6:30am until 7:30pm you are constantly on the go. Anyone who might be thinking of applying to the Diocese must do so with realistic expectations. We’re not robots and we need to balance our lives according to our abilities and the expectations of an institution. We can’t do everything. We need to discern the best way forward for us.

Were there any experiences or lessons from seminary that changed the way you understand priesthood or ministry?

• Absolutely! In my final year of seminary, I was given as my pastoral work the task of visiting the Larche Community in Ciampino – just on the edges of the city of Rome. I really didn’t want to go at first. It required not only the challenge of communicating in a foreign language, but also doing this with the added challenge of communicating with those with severe learning difficulties. I discovered that ministry is not simply doing things that we’re comfortable with. In fact, when we’re put outside of our comfort zones, then the Holy Spirit can act more clearly and decisively. For example, verbal communication at the Larche community was not possible a lot of the time. Usually, the residents could only communicate by throwing their arms around me and giving a hug! That’s God’s style. Remember what Jesus said? “Unless you become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Amen to that.

Can you talk about a moment in seminary that was particularly meaningful or transformative?

• In 2023, the seminary took us on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. That experience for me transformed my relationship with the Gospels. Standing on the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the shimmering waters of the Sea of Galilee was incredible. There I stood looking at the same scenery Jesus looked at. The scriptures in that trip became alive for me.

3. Looking Ahead

As you prepare for ordination, what are you most excited about?

• Seeing all the people from the different parts of my life come together. It’s like bringing all the gifts of my life into a single moment and giving thanks to God for all these people He has graced me with. No man is an island. My vocation comes from the Lord, but He has nurtured it by putting incredible people into my life.

What aspect of priestly ministry do you feel especially drawn to?

• It might sound a tad cliché, but being on the peripheries. I met a lady once and she said, “I thought your lot were pretty miserable!” I love it when people come to the Cathedral and have no idea about religion, but they want to find out more about it. I can say that almost every weekend since I started at the Cathedral, there has been at least one person who has enquired about becoming Catholic. Something incredible is happening here and it’s such an honour to experience this.

Are there any challenges you anticipate, and how are you preparing for them?

• Loads and that’s life. I turned my phone off for my recent canonical retreat at Quarr Abbey. When I turned it on at the end and checked my emails, I discovered that the other assistant priest at the Cathedral, Fr Thomas, must move to another parish in September! This means myself and Canon James will be quite busy come September. I’m not even 30 years old, and very much aware of my limitations of youth and inexperience. Spare a prayer for me as I take on more responsibility.

4. Advice and Encouragement

What advice would you give to someone who is discerning a call to the priesthood?

• Two things. Find someone who you can tell everything about yourself to. There’s an element of change we must go through – that is simply life – but don’t try to change your core identity of who God has made you to be. You are you and God is calling you entirely. If you have at least one person you can be totally honest about everything in your life, especially your challenges, then you will be in a much better place. Second, pray from your heart. Yes, we have the prayer of the Church, rosary etc. but prayer ultimately comes down to two people – you and God – and the two hearts meeting. “Cor ad cor loquitur” (Heart speaks unto heart) St John Henry Cardinal Newman wrote. Open your heart to Him.

How can the Church community support young men who are considering this vocation?

• Make this one of your prayer intentions. We need priests, so ask God to send more. Also, ask young men whether they have thought about a vocation to the priesthood. Maybe that one question could nurture a seed that God has placed in their heart already. Be courageous and just ask the question!

5. Personal Reflections

How has your prayer life evolved through this journey?

• Immensely. Prayer is not about getting stuff out of it. Someone once told me that prayer is, “wasting time with God.” It sounds a bit strange, maybe a bit off putting, but let’s briefly unpack it. Wasting here is meant in the good sense. When we spend a day with a good friend, we just waste time with them. Time passes and we simply enjoy being with that person – not just in the moments of speaking, but in the moments of silence too. I would say I find this image much more helpful. It’s a Christian duty to pray, but it’s more than that. It’s a precious relationship, which we are created to do.

What scripture or saint has particularly accompanied you during your formation?

• Saint Therese, of course is a favourite for priests. I love her simplicity and immense ability to love, even in arduous circumstances. We try and complicate love a lot of the time, Saint Therese makes us realise it is actually quite simple.

If you could share one message with your younger self at the start of this journey, what would it be?

• Always be joyful, even in the difficult moments. As a society, we’re becoming rather stuffy and over-focused on careers/ advancement. God created us for goodness and for joy. This must be our focus always, because the heart of the Gospel is joy. It’s a hallmark of the Christian identity. Joy marks us out, because we have hope. If things go wrong this side of eternity, we know that in the end God’s fidelity and mercy to us trumps all the bad of this world. This is the light of joy and hope that we must always carry and shine into the lives of others.