Welcoming New Members
Three men commit to serving the home missions and to the practice of
poverty, chastity, obedience and prayer
by Jean Bach

Aaron Wessman, Crispine Adongo and Craig Digmann (from left) professed their First Oath as home missioners at a May 24 Mass celebrated in Cincinnati.

When Jesus’ disciples gave up everything and followed him, they became the Church’s earliest missionaries. And although times and techniques have changed over the centuries, one thing remains constant: sharing Jesus’ love is the primary task of a missionary. That task, Father Dan Dorsey told the three men taking their First Oath as Glenmary missioners on May 24, is key to their future mission work.

It’s a task that Aaron Wessman, Crispine Adongo and Craig Digmann are not only up for, but are eager to embrace. After a year of prenovitiate and two years of novitiate, they have entered the final stages of their formation.

Aaron and Crispine have begun their theological studies at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana and Brother Craig Digmann (men pursuing missionary brotherhood use “brother” after taking First Oath) is taking classes at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky.

“Your journey will not be an easy one,” Father Dan told the men on May 24. “In the eyes of the world, you are three fools and are wasting your talents tending to the lost and forgotten in the United States.”

“The good news we give witness to today is that [through your vocation] you will touch lives in ways beyond your imagination,” Father Dan said.

“You have been called by name and it’s a call that will last a lifetime,” he said. “Always remember that Christ is the leader and you are the follower.”

The last weekend of May was filled with celebration for the Glenmary community. In addition to the First Oath Mass, an Oath renewal Mass was celebrated for Dennis Makokha on May 23.

Dennis is spending a year at the Glenmary mission in Bertie County, N.C., before resuming his theology studies at St. Meinrad.

“We are blessed with men in every stage of formation,” says Father Steve Pawelk, Glenmary’s vocation director. “And because of men like Aaron, Crispine, Craig and Dennis our future is filled with hope!”