What motivates men to join Glenmary to become a priest or Brother? Brother David Henley has thought and prayed a lot about that. In late summer 2024, he finished 14 years as Director of Glenmary Vocations. “Meeting with the guys in the discernment program and sharing the Glenmary ministry has been very fulfilling. It truly feels like a gift of the Holy Spirit, helping guys to find us and walk with us in this journey of Glenmary’s charism,” he says.
It wasn’t just Glenmary who benefited from Brother David’s work. A few months ago he received a 2024 Recognition Award from the National Religious Vocations Conference for outstanding service and leadership in vocation ministry.
As Vocations Director, Brother David visited Catholic schools, set up exhibits at large national Catholic gatherings, and held discernment retreats in the United States, Mexico and East Africa; building relationships with men discerning a call to Glenmary.
“Guys don’t come knocking on our door anymore. We have to go out and share the Glenmary story with them where they are,” Brother David comments. One of his greatest joys as vocation director, he says, was “helping the guys learn about Glenmary missionary work, having them meet the people we serve, and seeing where their own gifts can be used.”
Brother David fell in love with Glenmary on a high school mission trip to Appalachia. So he joined Glenmary. Prior to serving as Vocations Director, Brother David ministered in Ohio County, Kentucky and Yale County, Arkansas. “Having firsthand experience is a valuable part of vocations work,” notes Brother David.
Glenmary Home Missioners currently has 11 men in formation, many from East Africa. “They’re such good men, generous of heart, wanting to give of themselves to serve the poor in the United States,” Brother David says.These future clergy as well as lay co-workers who share in the Glenmary charism bring “great sense of hope to Glenmary,” he adds.
This year Catholics worldwide will celebrate a Jubilee year whose theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” resonates deeply with Brother David. Pope Francis is calling for the Church this year to “fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
“I think Pope Francis is calling us to bring hope to those in the marginalized area,” says Brother David. “In this world of so much violence, injustices, fears and concerns people can easily lose sight of that hope. If we have hope to accompany us on our journey that will help us continue to share in Christ’s love and redemption for us,” Brother David says. That accompaniment is what being a Glenmarian is all about. During this Jubilee 2025, “Glenmary will reflect on what hope means for us, how are we hope for the people that we serve and how we can intensify our ministry during this time.” That’s a mission worth joining..
—Mary Ellen Pellegrini
