What’s this all about?
Hey, welcome!
I’m a Catholic priest from the Midwest with degrees in Philosophy, Theology, and Catholic Studies. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Ordained in 2018, I’ve served as a parish priest, adjunct professor, and high school teacher. I’ve taught in the School of Parish Leadership & Evangelization at the University of St. Mary of the Lake - Mundelein Seminary. Currently, I am pursuing a Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL) at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Complete Bio
Father Ryan M. Adorjan, KCHS is a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois.
Father Ryan graduated from Oswego High School in 2010. He studied English with an emphasis in writing and Secondary Education at North Central College before entering St. John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds Bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Catholic Studies from St. Thomas. In 2018, Fr. Ryan completed seminary formation at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake - Mundelein Seminary, where he earned a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB) and a Master’s degree in Divinity (M.Div.). He was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2018, by Bishop R. Daniel Conlon. Previous priestly assignments have included the Cathedral of Saint Raymond Nonnatus & Sacred Heart Parish in Joliet, Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Naperville, and Visitation Parish in Elmhurst. He has served as secretary of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council and represented his age cohort on the Diocese of Joliet Priest Personnel Board.
Fr. Ryan graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Catholic Studies (CSMA) from the University of St. Thomas in May of 2020. Catholic Studies examines the impact of the Incarnation of Jesus on Human Thought and Culture from an interdisciplinary approach. His research centered on the relationship between Catholic anthropology, the Christian spiritual life, and the modern trends of nihilism and individualism as they are compounded by digital technology. This research culminated in his Master’s Essay, entitled “The Christian ‘Yes’ and the Defeat of Nihilism in the Digital Age.”
In 2012, Father Ryan founded VianneyMedia, a social media apostolate at St. John Vianney Seminary. He was a member of the team that spearheaded the digital marketing effort at Mundelein Seminary, under the tutelage of then-Father Robert Barron.
Father Ryan is a regular speaker in his home diocese and around the country. He has spoken at the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress, and in 2020 was the keynote speaker at the Edith Stein Conference at the University of Notre Dame. His most recent parish missions include “Born in Wonder, Welcoming the Christ”, “Facing Mercy”, and “Jesus University: The Son of God’s School of Life.”
Father Ryan has a great love for arts and culture, and is a dedicated patron of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association. He is a Knight Commander (KCHS) in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
The views expressed on this site are those of Fr. Ryan Adorjan and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Diocese of Joliet or any other entity.
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What you’ll get:
Each week, and as we go hopefully more often than that, you’ll get articles from me and a few guests on topics related to Christian culture, theology, philosophy, literature, and art. I plan to work through series and themes, taking a month or so to explore a theme in moral theology, and then taking some time to talk through major themes of a Great Book like Manzoni’s The Betrothed or Jordan Aumann’s text, Spiritual Theology.
Paid?
Substack is a platform that can be accessed both by free and paying subscribers. In the interest of full disclosure, if you choose to be a paid subscriber please know that those funds will go to helping me buy watercolor supplies, support my coffee habit, and every quarter I will donate a certain portion of the revenue to a local charity or non-profit.
