PHOTOS | A Priest Until the Very End: Monsignor Michael Glenn Remembered in Denver
- Guest Contributor
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Seminarians, priests and faithful reflect on the life of a beloved St. John Vianney Seminary rector.
By Kaylee Stoll
The Gospel message rang throughout the church: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
It felt only appropriate that this be the theme of the memorial Mass for Monsignor Michael Glenn on Saturday, February 28. Celebrated by Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, the memorial Mass aimed to pray for and honor the late former rector of St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, for whom the seminary’s new recreation center is named.
"Monsignor Michael Glenn was a man of the Church. Once, he told us: 'The more you know the Church, the greater your faith has to be,'” Father Hector Chiapa-Villarreal shared as he reflected on his time spent with Monsignor Glenn. “He was referring to the fact that the Church is both holy because she is the Bride of Christ, but also a sinner, because we as sinners are members of her Body. He taught us to love the Church as the Bride of Christ and to see her with the eyes of Christ, with the eyes of love, past her many faults."
Throughout the honoring speeches and words of remembrance following the Mass, Monsignor Glenn was described as having many commendable traits, most notably as a "spiritual father," "architect of the St. John Vianney Seminary," and "priest until the very end."
"He was a very honest and straightforward man,” Father Viapa-Villareal explained. “He could be tough, but he was always fair, constantly striving to love those under his care with the love of Christ."
(Photos by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic)
A Spiritual Father
As rector, Monsignor Glenn was known for his deep care for the seminarians in his charge. For Father Daniel Ciucci, the former rector of the seminary “saw a beautiful energy in me, and he honed it toward the Gospel,” even despite the fact that he was a “troublemaking” seminarian.
“So much of his fatherhood existed in loving us where we needed to be loved,” he said, during a time of reflection.
Following his time in the seminary, Monsignor Glenn was a beloved shepherd to the three parishes on the Western Slope where he was assigned as pastor.
"He absolutely loved being a parish priest and had a picture in his office of a First Communion class at St. Mary in Aspen, where he was a pastor before becoming a rector. I'm sure he looked with longing at that picture many times, desiring to once again be simply a pastor at a parish," Father Chiapa-Villarreal explained. "He was deeply human; he loved the good things in life and loved the many people God placed in his life. I will always remember being at his mother's funeral and how he broke down in tears while preaching, being vulnerable to us all seminarians, fellow priests, family and friends, showing how much he loved his mother and how much he was going to miss her, while at the same time he was fully convicted of the hope of the Resurrection we have as Christians."
It was clear to everyone in the room that the monsignor's life had a significant impact not only on those listening but on everyone who encountered him.
A Priest Until the Very End
"Monsignor Michael Glenn was plainly in love with the priesthood, which he promoted in word and deed as his life's focus, becoming a good brother to our seminary clergy, faculty and staff, and at the same time being a steady father figure for the many men he helped prepare for the priestly ministry," stated Father Andres Hoeck, who knew Monsignor Glenn quite well, being part of the seminary since its re-founding back in 1999. He witnessed the monsignor’s arrival at the seminary, all the way to the day of his passing.
In 2016, Monsignor Glenn was diagnosed with brain cancer, a disease that ultimately claimed his life in 2019. His love for the priesthood shone through to the very end. Stories recounted how he drew near to the Eucharist in his hospital bed and encouraged others to do the same, even amid his suffering.
"I fondly remember the depth of his personal prayer and love for Sacred Scripture that sustained him especially in the final stretch of his life, sadly cut short by serious illness which he bore with remarkable courage and joy. I had the privilege of ministering to him a few times during his last illness and was inspired by his great love for the sacraments of the Church. One day, two of us priests, former seminarians under him, came to his hospital room at the same time. When we were deferring to each other for the Anointing of the Sick, he simply said: 'It's ok. I love you both.' That was a very fatherly response to us, his spiritual sons," said Father Chiapa-Villarreal, remembering Monsignor Glenn with fondness, watching as he continued to draw near to the Lord and stood strong in his priesthood through his illness.
A New Future, and a Fond Memory
The memorial night ended with laughter and joy, knowing Monsignor Glenn's legacy will continue to impact many lives, even after his passing. He will continue to be honored through the Monsignor Michael Glenn Center at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. With a strong dedication to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and a love of recreation, the Monsignor Michael Glenn Center is a beautiful tribute to a man who loved the men of the St. John Vianney Seminary.
In the words of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, "Indeed, faith and hope will end when we die. Whereas love, that is, charity, will last for eternity." No truer words could be spoken for the life and legacy of Monsignor Michael Glenn.
