Vocation Discernment
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Vocation Office
Western Dominican Province
5890 Birch Court
Oakland, CA 94618-1626
(510)-596-1821
Our Vocations require a great deal of support, from the first moment they begin their novitiate until the last moments of their retirement. Please do conside visiting our donation page and helping form and sustain the priests and brothers who will serve you in the future, serve you now and have served you in the past.
Saints and Blesseds
The Order of Friars Preachers,
The Dominican Order,
has a beautiful history of learning, service and holiness manifested in its saints and blesseds of every age since its foundation by St. Dominic de Guzman. Do enjoy the periodic postings of such stories as are available from various sources, especially our own archives.
Religious Retirement
Our elderly and infirm friars receive the best care we have available to us, as in any family. We rely heavily on the donations of others for our own existence and thus when one of our own becomes incapable of further ministry due to age or infirmity, those same donations help us support the sometimes necessary special care required by such members of our communities.
We prefer to care for our elderly and infirm in our own houses so that the life of a religious community can be a part of a friars life as long as possible. This is also the most economical in many ways. We strive to use donations wisely. But sometimes a care facility is essential. As we, as a Province, do not benefit from the national collection for retired religious, we ask that you assist us in caring for these friars who have prayed, taught, served and ministered for so many years amomg the people of the Western United States and beyond.
Please, in your kindness, consider assisting us in this work of brotherly love.
Many thanks in advance.
Catholicism
It's just the right thing
Fr. John Wilfred Ryan, OP
Fr. John Wilfred Ryan was born in Vallejo on June 27, 1897. After schooling at St. Vincent's in Vallejo and college work at St. Mary's in Moraga, he entered the Dominican Novitiate in 1922 and was ordained to the priesthood on February 23, 1929.
Fr. Ryan served as assistant pastor in several parishes in the Province, particularly at Blessed Sacrament in Seattle and Holy Rosary in Portland. Then, with the outbreak of World War II he received permission to enter the United States Army as a Chaplain. His military career was astounding, but even more so was his even longer service after the war as chaplain to the Veterans Administration Hospitals in Oakland and Martinez. His log book of hospital visits is a tribute to his faithfulness.
Upon retirement Fr. Ryan lived at St. Albert's Priory in Oakland before his failing health required special attention. Mrs. Catherine Leonard graciously and devotedly cared for him until he was forced to go to St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco. There, on his feast day, that of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1980, he met his Lord.
Eccentric but beloved, Fr. Ryan in his work was an example and inspiration to all at the Veterans Hospital and to his brethren in the Order. Please pray for his eternal rest in the Lord.
-- Fr. Bernard Arnheim, OP
|
Date of Birth |
Date of Profession |
Date of Ordination |
Date of Death |
|
June 27, 1897 |
September 21, 1923 |
February 23, 1929 |
December 27, 1980 |
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