Reverend Father Damian Dietlein

Thank you, Damo for being a kind, kind, man and friend to my family.

Father Damian became our dear friend several years ago when he joined us for a long summer weekend at the Jersey Shore with Maryanne and Jim Walter. He loved the beach, warm sand, and ocean waves. We loved having him stay with us and the family, enjoying happy times together. Although he was able to visit and stay with the family in Margate NJ for several summers, we missed him these past few years with COVID and were terribly saddened by the news of his illness. We're grateful to have had...

Father Damien taught me my first two graduate-level scripture courses in the 1970-71 academic year. These were Introduction to the OT and Introduction to the NT. I learned quickly that graduate-level scripture study was very different from what I had learned as an undergraduate. Damo often mixed humor with scholarship. Concluding his remarks on Joshua leading the covenant-renewal ceremony, he said, "So, essentially, the message of Joshua was: 'You go your way and me and my family will...

Fr. Damo was my professor in the MTS program at St. Meinrad. He was wise and open-minded and open-hearted. He demonstrated such humility in his teaching and interactions. He was also my thesis advisor and tirelessly offered wise advice. He was a voice for those lost female voices who fostered the growth and deepened the experience of early Christianity. Damo's prophetic voice will be missed by many.

I am grateful for Fr. Damian's ministry as a formator at St. Meinrad where he taught me about the Old Testament. May he rest in peace!

Damo was a wonderful teacher! I feel so fortunate to have been taught by him. He had such theological vision. He was able to welcome and embrace feminism while still remaining in such a patriarchal environment. He was a mentor to me and always responded to emails so thoughtfully. I will miss him. I thank him for the integrity of his life and his fidelity to the monastic way of life.