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Missionary Brotherhood

WHAT DOES MISSIONARY BROTHERHOOD LOOK LIKE?

Glenmary Brothers have a distinct vocation that calls them to a wide variety of ministries. The needs in the mission areas are many, so men of diverse backgrounds and talents can find multiple ways to serve.

Through their outreach to the entire community, Glenmary Brothers often find themselves having more contact with people who are non-Catholic than with Catholics. Brothers are, first and foremost, brothers to all the people in the missions. They walk with the people in their struggles and celebrate with them in their joys. 

Parish Brothers live within Glenmary mission areas and search out creative ways to address the needs of the local Church and the wider community. Often this allows Brothers to perform a wide variety of jobs. But the Glenmary Brothers’ ministries are less about doing than they are about being. Some Brothers describe their ministry as a

ministry of presence as they walk side-by-side with the poor, lonely, elderly, youth, addicted, sick and lost. 

Parish Brothers also take an active role in parish ministries, including sacramental preparation, youth and prison ministries, counseling, and other forms of outreach. 

The Glenmary Brothers Building Crew built many of the Glenmary mission churches that dot the landscape of Mission Land, USA, as well as homes for the poor. 

Today, Glenmary Brothers may partner with local Habitat for Humanity chapters or similar organizations to build homes in rural counties where there is a lack of affordable housing. 

Brothers also serve as nurses, teachers, social workers, translators, recreation leaders for both youth and the elderly, and directors of regional food banks in our missions.

During their formation, Glenmary Brothers study ministry and also develop other skills. At the end of their formation they are prepared to be of direct service to those living in the mission areas.

“Does the command to ‘go teach all nations’ make an exception of our own? These vast sections of our land, with their scattered millions of people, overwhelmingly non-Catholic.”

- Father William Howard Bishop, Glenmary Founder

Glenmary Farm

at Joppa Mountain
1943 Joppa Mountain Road
Rutledge, TN 37861
There are two housing facilities on our 10-acre site with enough space to accommodate groups of up to 25 people. Each house has a main living area, toilet, and shower. All living quarters have central heating and cooling.