Father Daniel Lanahan, OFM was raised in Brooklyn, NY, and joined the Holy Name Friars at age 20. He was educated in moral theology at the Catholic University of America and received his doctorate from the Alphonsian Institute in Rome. For the first 20 years of his priestly ministry, he was involved with the formation of candidates for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University and later in East Aurora, NY where he served as president and rector. During his years of seminary work, Father Lanahan conducted many retreats, days of reflection and weekends of prayer.

After completing his work in the seminary, Father Lanahan was part of a team ministering to a New Jersey parish for four years. In 1986 he joined the Franciscan Ministry of the Word parish renewal team and in this capacity, he conducted numerous retreats and parish missions.