At first glance, this title may seem deceiving, even perplexing. Glenmary brothers celebrating 200 years of service! But how? Glenmary Home Missioners was founded in 1939. Our founder, Father William Howard Bishop, wasn’t even alive 200 years ago.
Before we unravel the mystery of these 200 years, let us ask a simpler question: When was the foundation of Glenmary Home Missioners brothers? In 1939, Father William Howard Bishop founded Glenmary Home Missioners as a society of apostolic life composed of priests and brothers. His vision, spirituality, and charism called for a community that would witness to the love of God in rural America, especially in the South and Appalachia.
What do Glenmary Brothers do?
Glenmary’s ministry is built on five pillars: Catholic nurture, ecumenism, evangelization, social outreach and justice, and connection to the universal Church. That may sound like a mouthful, so let me summarize it in two words: physical presence. Pope Francis might describe it as a ministry of encounter. Glenmary brothers are known for that ministry of encounter: Crossing over, reaching out to the margins, advocating for the common good, promoting human dignity, setting hearts on fire, and, in the words of Pope Francis, smelling like sheep. If Glenmary brothers have truly been “smelling like sheep” for 200 years, then it must be a holy smell, a sanctifying smell, a fulfilling smell, and an inspiring smell—because a putrid smell could never be endured for that long.
Glenmary Brothers make an oath to serve others through the Glenmary charism and way of life. While they are not called to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, Brothers are called to minister in other ways. They are teachers, social workers, translators, builders, community leaders, and so much more. Find more information about Glenmary Brotherhood online.
Still, the question lingers in the air: 200 years of fulfilled apostolate?
Let me break it down. Brother Jude Smith, who professed his final oath on May 23, 2026, became the 200th Glenmarian to profess a final oath. That is a milestone worth celebrating. During this year’s Glenmary General Assembly, we also honored four perpetually professed brothers.
Brother Curt Kedley, a native of Cascade, Iowa, celebrated his 60th anniversary as a Glenmarian, having professed his first oath in 1966. Brothers Jack Henn and Virgil Siefker each celebrated 50 years, both having professed their first oath in 1976. Brother Jack Henn, a son of Bellevue Kentucky, also served as Glenmary’s second vice president for three terms, Brother Virg is a native of Kalida, Ohio. He is an alumnus of University of Dayton. Brother Tom Sheehy, a native of Maple Grove, Wisconsin, celebrated his 40th anniversary, having professed his first oath in 1984. Now let us do the math: 60 + 50 + 50 + 40 = 200. Eureka! The mystery is unraveled. Brother Jude is number 200, and these four brothers together represent 200 years of smelling like sheep in joyful, faithful service. Kudos, brothers!
Do you feel called to be part of this community? Do you want to join these brothers in continuing the ministry of presence in the rural South and Appalachia? Do you feel called to smell like sheep in the service of God’s people? If your answer is yes, and if you are a single Catholic man between the ages of 18 and 43, we invite you to contact Glenmary Home Missioners and begin the conversation about your vocation.
Contact Glenmary Vocations Director
vocations@glenmary.org
513 881 7411
Glenmary.org/vocations
