Brother David: Rev. William Howard Bishop

Today marks the 74th anniversary of Glenmary's founding!

The Founder of Glenmary Home Missioners, Fr. William Howard Bishop had an incredible love and concern for the rural people of the United States. One might even say "he was consumed by the dream of finding a way to serve the neglected areas of rural America."

Because of that love and concern and in order to demonstrate the vast mission need in the rural U.S., he made a map of the home mission need and brought it to the attention of the American Catholic Church. In 1939, after finding no other community to take on the mammoth task of serving what he termed “Mission Land, USA,” and after overcoming many obstacles, he founded the Home Missioners of America AKA , The Glenmary Home Missioners in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio, at the invitation of Archbishop John T. McNicholas.

Father Bishop was a holy man, deeply committed to establishing this home mission society of priests and brothers and inviting others to join him. His “No Priest Land, USA” map captured the hearts and souls of the men and women who joined this new mission effort. With unbending determination, Father William Howard Bishop led this community of men and also guided the Glenmary Sisters until his death in 1953.

Glenmarians continue to be inspired by his life and dream. His holiness is readily recognized by God, the people in the home missions and Glenmarians. May his life story and his dream inspire you as well.