Two Profess First Oath to Glenmary
International students to pursue missionary priesthood

CINCINNATI (July 10, 2006)—Austine Duru and Dennis Makokha, both 31, took their First Oath to Glenmary Home Missioners on June 30, 2006. The Glenmary Oath commits both men to the practice of poverty, chastity, obedience and prayer. As a Glenmary Home Missioner, they also commit to their fellow missioners and to the proclamation of the gospel in rural areas and small towns of the United States. It has been three years since a new member has been welcomed into Glenmary and over 10 years since more than one man has taken First Oath.

Both Dennis and Austine have just completed a one–year novitiate program of intense prayer and reflection and are preparing for ordination. This fall, Austine will resume his theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and Dennis will begin his studies at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. And, with their First Oath, both begin a period of temporary profession which will culminate in a Final Oath.

Austine is a native of Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, and has been associated with Glenmary since 2002. Dennis, a native of Kakamega, Kenya, and has completed two years of Glenmary formation. Since 2002, Glenmary has accepted international students for missionary formation. Currently, there are eight international students and six domestic students in various stages of formation.

“What it means to be a missioner is a process,” Father Dan Dorsey said in his June 30 homily. “There is no set way. You, Austine and Dennis, are leaven for Glenmary. You help us better understand what it means to be a missioner.”

“Your presence is a gift to all of us, to the Church and to the missions here in America,” Father Dan continued. “Your commitment is a gift to the people you will serve in the home missions.”

Dennis and Austine have been challenged throughout their formation—especially by living in a new culture and learning how to minister in that culture.

“I have learned that I adapt better than I thought I could,” Austine says. “I desire to be a missioner in America because European missionaries came to Africa and I wish to give something back by offering myself and my service to the Church in the United States.”

Dennis concedes that some in Kenya thought he was crazy for coming to America, a fully developed country, as a missionary. “My response is simply that missioners are needed in developed countries too and, like Austine, I want to return, as a Glenmary Home Missioner, the favor that was given to Africa by so many missionaries.”

“This is a different culture and I am from a different background,” says Dennis, “but it is the same Church.” For Austine, Glenmary is a good fit to what he wants to do, and would encourages others to take a look at Glenmary priesthood and brotherhood. “If you love adventure and you want to be a pioneer and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, then Glenmary is the place to be!”

View photos from the First Oath Mass and Ceremony

Read more about Austine and Dennis