Wilfred Ryan | ANZ Clergy


About Help Contact login Rev Wilfred Ryan SJ Title: Rev First Name: Wilfred Middle Names: Preferred Name: Surname: Ryan Order: SJ Date of Birth: 30-Sep-1878 Place of Birth: South Melbourne VIC Country of Birth: Australia Date of Ordination: Place of Ordination: Country of Ordination: Ordination Diocese: Seminary: Date of Death: 11-Dec-1949 Place of Death: Melbourne VIC Country of Death: Australia Date of Burial: 13-Dec-1949 Place of Burial: Boroondara, Kew VIC Country of Burial: Australia Find A Grave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208249780 FindaGrave - Person Photo FindaGrave - Grave Photo Biographical Notes Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017: Ryan, Wilfrid Teacher, pastor; born South Melbourne, 30 September 1878; died Melbourne, 11 December 1949, aged 71. Wilfrid Ryan was educated at St Patrick's College, and Xavier College, Kew, before entering the Society at Loyola College, Greenwich, 25 April 1895. After his juniorate there, he taught at St Aloysius' College, Bourke Street, 1901-06, before philosophy studies at Stonyhurst, 1906-09. Theology followed immediately at Milltown Park, Dublin, and at Innsbruck, 1909-13. Tertianship in Florence followed. During his studies he continued to pursue his special interest in geology, studying in Germany, Spain, and Italy. For his discoveries, especially a fossil hitherto undiscovered in Europe near the Dargle, he was admitted, upon the recommendation of professors of Cambridge, to a fellowship of the Geological Society. Ryan returned to Australia and Riverview in 1914, where he taught, directed the choir and orchestra, and was, at various times, assistant director of the observatory, and lecturer in philosophy at St John's College, University of Sydney. From 1919-30 Ryan was a tutor in philosophy, geology and sociology, as well as minister and dean, at Newman College, University of Melbourne. He was awarded an MA and a Dip Ed from the university. Ryan became a haven of hope for the many young men returning from their disillusioning experiences of the First World War. He had a great capacity for friendship, and the students enjoyed his bright and cheery personality. He could understand their difficulties, and was approachable as an equal. Never for a moment did Ryan ever give the impression that he gloried in his learning or holiness. His modesty was obvious. He, with Jeremiah Murphy and Dominic Kelly, set the tone for Newman College of the future. Then he became involved in parish ministry, 1930-48, at Norwood, and was superior and parish priest, 1940-48. He also lectured in philosophy at the University of Adelaide. Ryan's final missioning was to Xavier College in 1948, where he was spiritual father until his death. He enjoyed these years, as he was much at home among the young. He was a very gentle, courteous, kind, and learned priest, everyone's friend, and died suddenly when on a Sunday parish supply. (Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)

Title:

Rev

First Name:

Wilfred

Middle Names:

Preferred Name:

Surname:

Ryan

Order:

Date of Birth:

30-Sep-1878

Place of Birth:

South Melbourne VIC

Country of Birth:

Australia

Date of Ordination:

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ordination Diocese:

Seminary:

Date of Death:

11-Dec-1949

Place of Death:

Melbourne VIC

Country of Death:

Australia

Date of Burial:

13-Dec-1949

Place of Burial:

Boroondara, Kew VIC

Country of Burial:

Australia

Find A Grave URL:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208249780

FindaGrave - Person Photo

FindaGrave - Grave Photo

Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Ryan, Wilfrid

Teacher, pastor; born South Melbourne, 30 September 1878; died Melbourne, 11 December 1949, aged 71.

Wilfrid Ryan was educated at St Patrick's College, and Xavier College, Kew, before entering the Society at Loyola College, Greenwich, 25 April 1895. After his juniorate there, he taught at St Aloysius' College, Bourke Street, 1901-06, before philosophy studies at Stonyhurst, 1906-09. Theology followed immediately at Milltown Park, Dublin, and at Innsbruck, 1909-13. Tertianship in Florence followed.

During his studies he continued to pursue his special interest in geology, studying in Germany, Spain, and Italy. For his discoveries, especially a fossil hitherto undiscovered in Europe near the Dargle, he was admitted, upon the recommendation of professors of Cambridge, to a fellowship of the Geological Society.

Ryan returned to Australia and Riverview in 1914, where he taught, directed the choir and orchestra, and was, at various times, assistant director of the observatory, and lecturer in philosophy at St John's College, University of Sydney.

From 1919-30 Ryan was a tutor in philosophy, geology and sociology, as well as minister and dean, at Newman College, University of Melbourne. He was awarded an MA and a Dip Ed from the university. Ryan became a haven of hope for the many young men returning from their disillusioning experiences of the First World War. He had a great capacity for friendship, and the students enjoyed his bright and cheery personality. He could understand their difficulties, and was approachable as an equal. Never for a moment did Ryan ever give the impression that he gloried in his learning or holiness. His modesty was obvious. He, with Jeremiah Murphy and Dominic Kelly, set the tone for Newman College of the future.

Then he became involved in parish ministry, 1930-48, at Norwood, and was superior and parish priest, 1940-48. He also lectured in philosophy at the University of Adelaide.

Ryan's final missioning was to Xavier College in 1948, where he was spiritual father until his death. He enjoyed these years, as he was much at home among the young. He was a very gentle, courteous, kind, and learned priest, everyone's friend, and died suddenly when on a Sunday parish supply.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)

Rev Wilfred Ryan SJ

Biographical Notes