The Cistercian Community in Mellifont in County Louth welcomed another man to the priesthood last weekend.
Cardinal Seán Brady ordained Br Joe Ryan to the priesthood at Mellifont Abbey at Collon County Louth on Sunday January 29.
Brother Joseph who has worked at Mellifont Abbey for a number of years, was ordained a deacon by Cardinal Sean Brady on November 1 2011.
Speaking at Brother Josesph’s ordination as a deacon, Cardinal Archbishop Brady said that he was, “delighted that Brother Joseph Ryan is being ordained deacon so that in his preaching he can share with his congregations the fruits of his life of prayer and meditation and so lead them into deeper faith and communion with Christ and with one another. We ask God to bless him and all deacons.”
Originally from the village of Littleton near Thurles in County Tipperary brother Joseph was born Larry Ryan in 1956 one of a family of nine, three girls and six boys.
Larry was born into a staunch hurling family and is the son of former Tipperary hurler the late Larry Ryan who died in 1995 and is the nephew of former Tipperary Senior hurling Captains Johnny and Paddy Ryan.
His mother Margaret Ryan, along with his siblings, attended Sundays ordination.
After attending Saint Kevin's Littleton National School and Thurles Vocational, he later worked as a fitter in John Dwyer's in Dundrum before his calling to the religious life.
The Community in Mellifont confirmed that Brother Joseph would continue to work with the monastic community in Mellifont in their ministry in Louth and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile Cardinal Brady's office confirmed that there are currently ten seminarians studying for the priesthood from the Archdiocese of Armagh.