At 27, Father Ronan Sheehan is one of the youngest Catholic priests in Ireland and even has his own TikTok account.
The young cleric from Cork was ordained into the priesthood on Sunday after turning down a career in medicine to devote his life to the church.
He got over 600 points in his Leaving Cert and had been set on studying medicine or law at UCC. However, his faith and calling took him in a very different direction.
After studying an arts degree in Maynooth for three years, he entered St Patrick’s Seminary in 2013 to study philosophy and theology before another three years of pastoral placements.
READ MORE: Irish mum was told to bring dead newborn baby's body out of back entrance of hospital
Ronan returned to his native Leeside to gain pastoral experience in Turner's Cross. More recently, he spent the final months of the most serious phase of the pandemic as a trainee chaplain at Cork University Hospital, the Mater Private and the Bon Secours.
Father Ronan's ordination took place in his home parish of Newcestown, Co Cork and the service was performed by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross.
His parents Bud and Denise Sheehan, his sisters Ciara, Leona, Orlaith and Aoibhe, and much of his extended family was present in the congregation.
The newly-ordained priest is now the youngest priest in the Cork and Ross Diocese at a time when the Catholic Church is struggling to find 'recruits' and many of his contemporaries have drifted away from regular mass going or the church altogether.
Speaking at the ordination, Bishop Gavin said: "“You are called to act in a unique way in the person of Christ in the Eucharist and the other sacraments. Acting in the person of Christ means that a priest can never put himself or his personal opinion at the centre of his ministry.”
Father Sheehan later celebrated his first mass at Newcestown Church, the church where he made his confirmation and his communion. He then went on to celebrate evening Mass at the second church of the parish, at Farnivane where he was baptised.
Cork's youngest priest now continues his duties with the Parish of Ballinlough, where he is already a very popular and well-known figure in the community.
READ MORE:
- Love Island's Paige reveals off scene moment that changed her mind on Adam amid Jacques drama
- Couple come home from Garth Brooks concert with newborn after superstar 'brought on labour'
- Viewers baffled over 'hidden symbol' on Meghan Markle's shoe as she mourns Queen
- RTE Joe Duffy listeners disgusted as dine and dish leaves waiter to pay bill at Irish restaurant
- Budget 2023 just a week away - Here's what to expect from energy credits, social welfare increases and lump sum payments
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
