Fr. Donald Thieman, C.PP.S., who spent an astounding 70 years as a Missionary of the Precious Blood, died on December 19 in the infirmary at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio. He had been in failing health. At 96, Fr. Thieman was the oldest living Missionary of the Precious Blood in the world.

After his ordination on June 4, 1953, Fr. Thieman spent a few years in parish ministry at St. Anne Church in Toledo and St. Augustine Church in Minster, Ohio.

In 1958, he volunteered for ministry in the Congregation’s mission in Chile (now part of the Latin American Province), even though he was not sure about this step. But Missionaries were being asked to serve in Latin America at the time, so Fr. Thieman waited for God’s direction.

He heard it clearly one day while proclaiming the Gospel during a Mass in Minster: “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life (Mt 19: 29).”

He served in Chile for over 50 years.

In Chile, Fr. Thieman was a pastor of churches in Santiago and Valdivia. He served as the director of the Chilean Vicariate from 1970–74. He lived through 17 years of violence after the Pinochet military coup, and helped the people he served survive those times of trial with courage and grace.

In 2012, after 53 years in Chile, Fr. Thieman returned to the United States and made his home at St. Charles Center. In his later years, he served at St. Charles with dignity and grace, helping at local parishes as long as he was able. He always supported his religious community—earlier in the year he attended the United States Province’s annual assembly in Indianapolis.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 22 at St. Charles. Burial followed in the Community cemetery. May he rest in peace.