Ryan Boyle St. John Vianney College Seminary (Pre-Theology II) Home Parish: Nativity, Brandon

Ryan was born in Japan and grew up on various military bases from Germany to Alabama before his family finally settled in Valrico in 1992. iHe converted to Catholicism when he was in high school.  After graduating from Bloomingdale High School, he received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorodo Springs.  Since then he has been on active duty as a pilot and has literally flown all over the world.  In his spare time, Ryan enjoying biking, hiking, reading and travel.  He presently is a Major in the United States Air Force.  Looking to soar even higher, he decided to give up his career with the Air Force to enter the seminary though he is being co-sponsored by the Archdiocese for Military Services and hopes to be able to serve as an Air Force Chaplain after ordination as well.  Ryan is in Pre-Theology II at St. John Vianney College Seminary.

Do your family and friends think it is a good idea that you’re becoming a priest? Yes. My family went through the normal initial shock that most seminarians encounter. Everyone else sees seminary as a radical shift in my life’s direction. Though, they admit that they had an inkling I would end up here. To me, seminary was the logical next step.

Do you ever have any fun?  What do you do in your free time?   No, fun is not allowed at all. Of course we have fun!! We go out for lunch or dinner, head to the beach, go snorkeling in the Keys, go to different Churches in the local area for mass, see movies, hang out, go to concerts and shows, and take some time to relax on a regular basis.

If you were not a priest, what do you think you would be? I spent 11 years on active duty in the Air Force and enjoyed serving our country immensely. I probably would have stayed in the military. In fact, I am hoping to go back into the military as a Chaplain.

How many brothers and sisters do you have?  I have one much younger brother, Matthew, who is 21.

What is your favorite TV program?   I enjoy the original version of Law and Order.

Who is your favorite singer or music group? Matthew Maher.

Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest? Bored, no. Tired, most definitely. The more we learn about philosophy and unlcok the tremendous reason behind everything that “is,” the more amazed and enthralled I become.

How is a seminary different than a regular school? Seminary is first and foremost a house of formation. When you go to a “regular” school, they care that your tuition shows up. They do not care if you show up. At a “regular” school, it’s very, very easy to get lost in the crowd. Here, similar to my experience at the Air Force Academy, they care about you (In fact, I hardly ever hear about tuition, cost, expense, etc.). If I am absent, sad, tired, or otherwise having an off day, it doesn’t go unnoticed by the faculty or other seminarians. Our teachers, nearly all PhDs, have taught for more than 20 years. Yet, they still give us their email addresses and phone numbers and will go out of their way to help us any way possible. To sum it all up, the difference is love. Here you are loved.  At a “regular” school, you are on your own.

How often do you see your family? I see them about every other month during the school year. I even went to visit my two Godsons in Japan over the Fall Break.

Can you really be happy as a priest since priests don’t make much money?  Yes. I had a healthy income as a pilot prior to coming here. One lesson I learned is that a big house equals big problems. While we do not take vows of poverty, each day I appreciate more and more the simplicity of letting go of attachments and possessions so that I may store up my treasure in Heaven instead. And yes, we do receive enough money that we can do the fun things I listed above often enough to enjoy our seminary experience.

Who helped you decide to become a priest? I met several priests along that way that set good examples and encouraged me. The life of Pope John Paul II also inspired me in so many ways.

What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest? The best part will be celebrating the sacraments for the People of God knowing that I am fulfilling God’s plan for me.