Fr. Ryen Dwyer, now serving as Pastor of the Catholic community on the Pine Ridge Reservation at Maȟpíya Lúta, has traveled a remarkable path to priesthood. Raised in Ohio and West Michigan within a mix of Christian traditions, he carried a deep curiosity about faith. That search eventually led him to Chicago, where he walked into a Catholic church for the first time. What seemed formal at first quickly became a place of welcome, and through that community he encountered the Jesuits.
Drawn to Ignatian spirituality, Fr. Ryen found in it a way of life focused not on rigid rules but on discernment—asking daily, Where is God calling me? At age 31, after years of work and volunteer experiences, he decided to join the Jesuits. His journey included a one-way pilgrimage to New Mexico with just $35, volunteer service along Route 66, and later, theology studies in Berkeley, California.
In 2024, after years of formation and vows of poverty and obedience, he was ordained a priest. His first time preaching left him humbled by the faith and anticipation of those before him. Since then, he has embraced parish life with gratitude, whether through preaching, guiding volunteers, or simply sharing meals and conversation.
Now at Maȟpíya Lúta, Fr. Ryen hopes to strengthen ties between parishes, schools, and neighborhoods, reminding us that the heart of ministry is found in connection. He often recalls the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus: “Our hearts burn within us when we walk together.”
With humility and hope, Fr. Ryen continues his vocation—trusting that priesthood is not about perfection, but about faithfully walking the journey alongside all of God’s people.
