Australian Dictionary of Biography entry: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ryan-john-8314

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

Mission superior, administrator, pastor, teacher; born Limerick, Ireland, 27 October 1849; died Melbourne, Victoria, 15 July 1922, aged 72.

Among the outstanding Jesuits who established the Society in Australia during its early years was John Ryan, a former priest of the Bathurst diocese who joined the Jesuits on 22 April 1879 at the age of 30. He had been principal of St Stanislaus' College and St Charles Seminary and had studied for the priesthood at the Irish College, Rome.

In his earlier days he had been educated at the Crescent, Limerick, and studied for the secular priesthood at the Irish College, Rome, where he was ordained in 1872, and then returned to Ireland. In 1875, Dr. Matthew Quinn, bishop of Bathurst, being in Ireland looking for priests, persuaded Ryan to volunteer for Bathurst and to be principal of his projected college and seminary.

Ryan did his noviceship at Sevenhill, 1880-81, and then taught at Riverview, 1881-83. After a year living in the parish of North Sydney preparing for his ad grad examinations, he returned to Riverview teaching Latin, Greek and Italian. However, his administrative and financial talents were quickly recognised and he was appointed rector of St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, 1885-90, where he was also prefect of studies and director of the Apostleship of Prayer and the Sodality of Our Lady. He also founded the Australian Messenger of the Sacred Heart, a religious periodical that continued until the 1970s, and the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary for gentlemen.

He was next appointed rector of Riverview, 1890-97, where he taught for the public examinations and was a mission consultor. From there he went as rector to Xavier College, Kew, 1897-1901, and was then appointed superior of the mission, 1901-08, living at Richmond. After five years working in the parish of Richmond, he was appointed superior of the mission for a second time, 1913-17, and then returned to Richmond and parish duties for a second time.

His final residence was in the parish of Norwood, where he worked during 1921-22. During his administrative years he also controlled the finances of the college or mission. Few men in the Society were given so many administrative responsibilities.

Ryan's leadership of St Ignatius' College, Riverview, which coincided with the Depression, was a time of academic achievement and sporting success. He founded the debating society in 1881. However, there were declining numbers and, in 1890, a debt of £25,000, which lasted for many years.

The transfer of Ryan to Xavier College came at one of the most difficult periods in the history of the school. There were only 34 boarders and 40 day boys in June 1897, as well as a debt of £204,000, and an annual deficit of £2,000. In a short time, the debt was reduced and the number of students increased. He avoided the mistake that a smaller man might have made. He did not check development in the pursuit of economy. The grounds were improved, and a new pavilion was built. The college joined the Public Schools of Victoria at this time, displacing St Patrick's College. Ryan also launched a new school journal the Xaverian and began the Old Xaverians' Association.

In dealing with the boys, we are told that he was 'firm but urbane'. He impressed all by the quiet strength of his manner, and though he made a point of leaving details to his subordinates, when he saw fit to act he was determined and unswerving in his decisions. He kept contact with former students, and had a sound knowledge of their future careers.

As superior of the Irish mission he negotiated the amalgamation of the Austrian and Irish missions, established the Jesuits in the parish of Toowong, Brisbane, and founded Newman College, the University of Melbourne. In addition, he moved St Aloysius' College from Bourke Street, Sydney, to Milson's Point, and negotiated very complex and sensitive questions with the Cardinal-Archbishop of Sydney without making an enemy of Cardinal Moran, which showed his great wisdom and tact.

Ryan never considered himself suitable for work in schools, and asked to be relieved of his leadership position several times. He preferred parish work and enjoyed a fine reputation as a preacher. At these times he particularly worked as a canonist for various religious orders, especially the Sisters of Mercy. He gave retreats and missions as often as the demands of his position permitted.

His main skills were administrative and financial. He was an extremely meticulous person, and even considered himself 'fussy' by insisting on correct procedures and religious discipline among the Jesuits. Ryan capably dealt with the financial problems in every house, and highlighted the problems of manpower and staffing. His work contributed significantly to the consolidation of the Irish Mission at the turn of the twentieth century.

As a person he defended those in need and, while even severe with himself, was generally large-hearted with others. He was also a man of great faith and devotion. Finally, he had an eye to history, leaving excellent diaries and notes, encouraging Michael Watson to write a history of the mission. He, himself, wrote the narrative of the Richmond mission. He was a priest of no mean stamina.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)