Father Vic Subb, a faithful and inspiring Glenmarian, has long been a living example of what it means to be a Glenmary missioner. If you’ve been reading your Challenge magazines, you might know that he’s been having health issues. As he recovers, but ponders what’s next, he continues to embody that missionary spirit—not through travel or ministry in one of our Glenmary missions, but through prayer, presence, and asking a simple daily question: “How can I be a missioner today?”

It’s a question that grounds and defines him. If we follow Jesus, it’s a question that challenges all of us. It reminds us that the missionary call isn’t tied to geography, age, or ability. It’s about disposition, awareness, intention, and presence. You can be a missioner even from a hospital bed, on your morning commute, at your kitchen table, or in line at the grocery store. That’s the power and beauty of missionary discipleship—it’s accessible to all of us, every day.

Glenmary’s Missionary Cross

A few years ago, Brother Joe Steen went to his woodshop and created the Missionary Cross for Glenmary. We don’t have any kind of habit—our priests often wear clerical shirts, and Brothers wear everyday clothes. We chose this cross, hanging on a simple necklace, as a way to identify Glenmarians. We present it to new members at their Final Oath.

Brother Joe, builder of churches and craftsman, handmade each of the crosses and while they are all the same, there are subtle differences. The cross is a humble, powerful sign of our commitment to Christ, his mission, and our Glenmary way of life.

The symbolism of the cross speaks deeply to Glenmary’s charism and way of life. It also captures who each of us is called to be in our missionary discipleship. Brother Joe set out with an idea in mind. These crosses:

• are walnut wood – a native American wood, reminding us of the land and people we are called to serve
• have a simple design – representing the simplicity of our lives and those we walk with
• have curved indentations – signs of gentleness and the tender mercy of God
• have imperfect facets – a reminder of our humanity and our ongoing need for redemption through Jesus Christ

Each Glenmarian wears this cross at significant Glenmary gatherings—funerals, oaths, regional or national events. But we also wear it whenever our hearts call us to remember our oath and to live our missionary vocation.

Do you have a “missionary cross” that you wear or carry to remind you of your missionary discipleship?

Missionary Moments in Daily Life 

You don’t need a title to be a missioner. You just need a heart that says “yes” in the small things. The witness of Father Vic is that he always seems to have time for those he encounters. How can you be a missioner today?

Here are a few examples from Father Vic’s playbook:

• Begin with gratitude. Notice the ordinary blessings—clean water, a warm bed, a meal shared, a supportive community. Say a blessing for each of them. Live with an awareness that nothing is guaranteed and everything is grace.
• Pay attention to people. Service workers. Strangers. Neighbors. Offer a warm greeting, a smile, a “thank you.” Be the person who isn’t in a hurry. Be someone who listens.
• Recognize Christ in everyone. Everyone you meet is carrying something: a burden, a worry, a hope. See with the eyes of Christ. Respond with patience, mercy, and love.

Other questions for all of us to ponder:

• Have you encountered someone recently who was the gentle, loving presence of Jesus to you?
• Have you taken a small action—intentional, compassionate—that made someone feel seen or valued?

Would you be willing to share that moment? I would love to hear from you. Whether it’s a story of someone who touched your life, or a moment when you lived your missionary call in the ordinary moments of life, email your thoughts to ddorsey@glenmary.org.

Remember, the missionary heart beats not only in far-off places, but in everyday encounters—in smiles, in service, in silence, and in love. So let us each begin today with Father Vic’s simple, profound question: “How can I be a missioner today?”

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