Farewell to a Saintly Priest

+ Father George Tither
Redemptorist Confessor, Spiritual Director & Friend to many
Pere Tither est mort! Vive Pere Tither!

DIOCESAN CIRCULAR NO. 04, Series of 2008

To: All Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful
Re: (+) Rev. Fr. David Januarius Tither, CSsR

Your Reverences, Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Peace in the Lord!

May I inform you that REV. FR. DAVID JANUARIUS “GEORGE” TITHER, CSSR, passed away at 8 a.m. today, 31 January 2008. The Redemptorist community scheduled a three-night wake for Father Tither at the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel in Gogon, Legazpi City. Afterwards, his remains will be brought to Manila for wake and funeral.

The diocesan clergy of Legazpi will hold a Concelebrated Wake Mass for the late Father Tither at the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel in Gogon, Legazpi City on 1 February 2008, Friday, 5 p.m.

Father Tither was born on 18 August 1920 in New Zealand. He made his religious profession as member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR) on 2 February 1940. He was ordained priest on 9 September 1945 by the Most Rev. Jacobus O’Collins, DD, in Ballarat, Australia.

In 1990, after serving in various capacities at the Redemptorist community in Baclaran, Manila, he was assigned to the community in Legazpi City, and never really left the place, except for a few period, till the present. He was a popular confessor and spiritual director for many of Legazpi’s faithful – clergy, religious and laity alike.

Father Tither had long suffered the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s Disease before finally succumbing to severe pneumonia. Let us pray for his eternal bliss in the presence of our Father in heaven.

Pray for us, too, Father Tither. Requiescat in Pace. Amen.

Sincerely in His service,

(Signed)
+ LUCILO B. QUIAMBAO
Bishop Administrator

31 January 2008