January 3, 2024 – Fr. Patrick J. Ryan, SJ, was born on January 6, 1929, in Somerville, Mass. Fr. Ryan attended Boston College High School from 1942 to 1945. On July 30, 1946, he entered the Society of Jesus at Shadowbrook in Lenox, Mass.
After his time in the novitiate and juniorate, he attended Weston College in Weston, Mass., from 1950 to 1953, to work towards his bachelor’s in philosophy. As part of his formation, he taught French at Fairfield College Prep in Fairfield, Conn., from 1953 to 1955. After his teaching stint, he returned to school as a student. He spent a year at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., studying French language and literature. In 1956, he returned to Weston College for four years to study theology.
On June 13, 1959, Fr. Ryan was ordained a priest at Weston College. Fr. Ryan continued his theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1961 to 1964. On August 15, 1963, he professed his final vows.
In 1964, Fr. Ryan came to Boston College to teach theology. He held this position until 1970 when he spent a year doing private studies in theology. In 1971, he returned to Boston College and served as a theology teacher until 1998. In 1998 he became a professor emeritus of theology, a position that he held until 2009.
In 2009, Fr. Ryan began what would be his last assignment, praying for the Church and the Society at Campion Center in Weston, Mass.
On December 26, 2023, after a lifetime of learning and teaching others, Fr. Ryan passed away.