Jonathan Ryan's Blog, page 56

The Conjuring 2, The Devil and The Catholic Church

I’ve been asked many times “why did you revert to the Catholic Church?” It’s a natural question, and I given a variety of answers. But, sometimes, I like to have a little fun with the whole convert/revert discussion. Very often, I’ll wink, lean in and say, “Well, it was because of the movie The Conjuring.” [Read More...]

Dark Devotional: Lazarus Syndrome

He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out,tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth.So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” –John 11:45 (1) (Re)birth I am waiting. I am waiting in a waiting room. I [Read More...]

Saint Jude, Sick Pilgrims, and Other Lost Causes

St. Jude, patron of lost causes, pray for us sick pilgrims. A common practice in southern Louisiana is to bury a statue of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, upside-down in the front lawn of a house that is for sale. Because of his role as protector of the household of the Virgin Mary and [Read More...]

Standing on My Head

“Do you recognize that as self-harm?” the therapist asks me at the tail end of my extended hour and half visit. “This tendency you have adopted to ratchet up the stress level and the expectations of the things you enjoy most in life until they hurt you?” I tumble that around in my head for [Read More...]

Dark Devotional: Murder Mysteries, Dead Bodies and Raising the Dead

As a paranormal mystery writer, I’m often ask why my books are so bloody and scary. Why, they wonder, am I so fascinated and seemingly obsessed with dead bodies? Can’t I write about something more cheery and happy? Indeed, many people think that my book shelves are lined with horror novels and stories of [Read More...]

Death of a Gorilla: A Sentimental Holocaust

For the past few days, my Facebook feed has been filled with video of the Cincinnati Zoo incident. A young boy climbed through the barriers and fell into the gorilla enclosure. Harambe the Gorilla dragged the child all over the compound. Zoo officials were forced to shoot the endangered animal to protect the child. [Read More...]

Dark Devotional: Still Waiting

An Ignatian Contemplation* on a Reading from the Gospel According to Luke (9:11B – 17), In Medias Res Then, takingthe five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd They all ateand were satisfied. [Read More...]

Things Keeping Us Alive – May edition

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” ― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice Instead of being swallowed by our often-shadowy outlook, we sick pilgrims know it’s important, every now and then, to focus on the littlethings that bring us great joy. Okay maybe not [Read More...]

Surprised by Dangerous Joy: Lessons from Chewbacca Woman

By now, everyone has seen the video of Chewbacca woman, the lady who buys a cheap Chewbacca mask and laughs hysterically at its absurdity. This video has gone uber viral and many people on my Facebook feed talked about how it brought them joy. I’ll be honest, my first reaction when I watched the video [Read More...]

Friedreich’s Ataxia Awareness- Dark Devotional

Note: May 21 is Friedreich’s Ataxia Awareness Day. Part of me is afraid that I share about my disability too much. I don’t want to be typecast as someone who only writes about his disability. However, it is the lens through which I see, every second of every day. To write personally and meaningfully, I [Read More...]