Forming shepherds after the heart of Christ
Fr Ryan’s response to dozens of questions reflects a multi-faceted operational philosophy of the formative leadership he has in mind-and-heart for the seminarians.
Jan 26, 2025

By Lucille Dass
Prayerful. Reflective. Discerning. Creative. Pro-active. Docile. Synodal. These are the seven (a biblically significant number) key features desired of a priest-in-the-making, according to Fr Ryan Innas Muthu, the new Rector of the Regional Major Seminary, Penang (as of January 1, 2025).
Fr Ryan’s response to dozens of questions reflects a multi-faceted operational philosophy of the formative leadership he has in mind-and-heart for the seminarians. His consummate modus operandi is in two words: holistic and unifying. (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Luke 2:52 come to mind.)
Response to the ‘call’ – presently and previously
How was the good news conveyed to him? Fr Ryan notes that Cardinal Sebastian Francis informed him of having received the appointment letter and the Decree (Prot.N.3868/24) from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation. His initial response? “I feel this is a call from God for me to help form future priests for our local dioceses. The hand of God is at work in the wisdom of the superiors.” As soon as the news hit the ground, the seminarians of College General (CG) and the housefathers rejoiced with him; not forgetting commendations received from his homeparish in Johor Bahru.
When sharing about his own path to becoming a priest, Fr Ryan steadily states, “Firstly, prayer life. I prayed, Lord if you want me to be your priest show me the way. This simple prayer led me to discern my vocation and to navigate my priestly formation with grace, notwithstanding the challenges I faced. Secondly, docility. This requires humility and willingness to discern God’s will through obedience, Thirdly, service. As a seminarian I always reminded myself that I’m called to serve the Lord: bring Christ to the people.”
(Give ear O seminarians-tobe!) He quotes a favourite scriptural verse (2 Cor.4:7) in context, to illustrate how our frail human bodies – “earthen vessels” hold the “treasure” that is Jesus, His Word, His Holy Spirit, love, wisdom, and strength. We need to be “broken” to share these Godgiven treasures with others. This verse is closely tied up both in its spiritual significance and related works with his ordination theme “Abide in me as I also abide in you” (Jn 15:4).
Servant leadership
Having already served six years as lecturer in College General (CG) prior to his current appointment, what transfer of skills and knowledge could he bring to his new role? True to his calling, Fr Ryan declares, “I’m convinced that every lecturer and formator is an instrument of Christ the Good Shepherd forming seminarians after the heart of Jesus. We serve as guides, mentors, and spiritual companions, to help seminarians grow in faith, knowledge, and personal care – to prepare them for a life of servantleadership.” As the chief servantleader, the rector firmly believes that God will guide him with sufficient strength in all situations and challenges (2 Cor. 12:9). Equally, he draws comfort from Cardinal Tagle’s reassuring reminder included in the appointment letter, “…always be aware that when the Lord chooses someone for an important task, he always provides the necessary grace needed for the service.” He is thankful too for all that he has learned from fellow-formators, and from his role as procurator.
Why is the route to priesthood “The road less travelled?” Young people, he says, have family and financial commitments to fulfil. This, together with worldly distractions, can delay or waylay their discernment process. For those who feel the stirrings of a divine call, the rector recommends that they select a spiritual director to guide them, and “…stay in touch with your parish priest, and your diocesan vocation director.”
Core values
“The primary formator in a seminarian’s vocation is ultimately the Holy Spirit. All formators serve as instruments of the Holy Spirit, providing guidance, support, and structure. The Holy Spirit is the true source and sustainer of the vocation.” He adds that surrendering to the Holy Spirit and adhering to the Church document on Priestly Formation (Ratio Fundamentalis; Pastores Dabo Vobis) together with a dose of discipline can mould seminarians to be pro-active, creative, reflective and synodal… and thus help him navigate CG to achieve the mission and vision envisioned. His valued aims vis-à-vis the seminarians are:
i) to be a merciful father to them
ii) to establish a spirit of dialogue, unity, and fraternal correction
iii) to be close to them and attentive to their human and spiritual needs
iv) to purify their primary intention towards Christ-centred priesthood
v) to form them in collaboration with coformators and other seminary staff.
He recognises the need to awaken in the seminarians “awareness of the need to bring all people of good will into the fellowship of love and service” in this teeter-tottering and weary world of today. Fr Ryan, whose name literally means “little king” or “illustrious” (both apply!) with his steadfast faith trusts in the Holy Spirit to guide him wield the sceptre that has now been passed down to him.
Hear ye, hear ye!
In closing, Rector Ryan reminds all, especially prospective priests-in-the making – not to be afraid to harken to the voice of God that may be hidden in the hustle and bustle of other sounds in the world. God can speak to us in a multitude of ways (think Job 33:14).
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