A person discerning his vocation with Glenmary begins by asking, “What does a Glenmary priest do?” or “What does a Glenmary Brother do?” First and foremost, missionary priests and Brothers are all called to be a missioner by professing the same Glenmary Oath—which includes promises of poverty, chastity, obedience and prayer.
Our vocation as “home missioners” is lived out as we share our unique talents and gifts to serve the spiritual and material needs of those living in the rural areas and small towns of the United States where the Church is not fully and effectively present.
According to Glenmary’s mission statement, we “proclaim with enthusiasm the Reign of God by bringing the presence of the Catholic Church to the rural mission areas of the United States of America…” We “minister through Word, Sacrament, prayer and service.” In living out this mission statement, Glenmarians have developed a unique mission ministry.
Serving the Catholic minority by establishing a Church presence and celebrating the sacraments in areas where less than 3 percent of the population is Catholic.
Reaching the unchurched by testifying to the Catholic faith in mission regions where a significant percentage of the people have no church affiliation.
Serving the poor through outreach and working for social justice in counties where the poverty levels are often twice the national average.
Promoting cooperation with and understanding of other Christian denominations by working to bring people from different faiths together to work and pray in a spirit of harmony, respect, and hope of eventual unity.
Linking the mission communities to the larger universal Church, and contributing home mission leadership through work in areas of home mission theology, organization and approaches.
4119 Glenmary Trace, Fairfield, OH 45014
Mailing Address: PO Box 465618, Cincinnati OH 45246
