Meet Paulist Novice Joseph Ryan Solomon

Joseph Ryan Solomon joined the Paulist Fathers' novitiate at Hecker House in Washington, D.C., in August 2024.

Joseph is a native of suburban Chicago, Illinois. Most recently, Joseph was a FOCUS missionary at UCLA, primarily serving at the University Catholic Center, which is served by the Paulist Fathers. It was there that he worked closely with Paulists Fr. Jamie Baca, CSP, Fr. Mark Villano, CSP, and Fr. Stu Wilson-Smith, CSP. He also credits Paulist seminarian Chris Malano, CSP, with helping him understand the Paulist charism. 

Joseph served as a seminarian for the Diocese of Joliet from 2017 to 2021, receiving his Bachelor of Philosophy at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH, completing one year of Theology studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, IL, and serving a pastoral year at St. Raphael Church in Naperville, IL.

“I simply bring myself, a beloved son of God who desires to pursue his vocation to holiness through the Paulist Fathers, a community known for bringing people together and leading them to Jesus Christ through a personal encounter with them in their broken, imperfect humanity,” he explained.

Fun facts about Joseph: He has a 3rd degree black belt and was a former instructor in Taekwondo. As a religious education catechist, he recommended and referred others to Busted Halo, a Paulist Fathers multimedia ministry. Also, one of his favorite hymns growing up in his parish, “Ang Katawan ni Kristo/Behold, the Body of Christ”, was composed by Paulist Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP. He did not know at the time about the Paulist Fathers connection.