In just a few weeks, on November 2, our brother Oblate Fr. Clarence ZACHMAN will be celebrating his 103rd birthday. This year also marks his 75th anniversary of his ordination as an Oblate priest.
For those of you who know Fr. Clarence, personally, you know that his favorite saying was “Jesus loves you and so do I.” Father Clarence says, “It’s such a simple but vitally important message to be reminded of.” That’s what made Fr. Clarence special.
For those of you who don’t know Fr. Clarence, following his ordination, he taught at Our Lady of the Ozarks minor seminary until 1961, where he also served as treasurer, and chief maintenance officer, gaining skills as a plumber, electrician, groundskeeper and general handyman.
Later, he joined the United States Air Force as a chaplain until 1981 and then worked at parishes in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri, before coming to minister at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois.
He currently lives at the Benedictine Living Community on the Shrine grounds. Like his brother Missionary Oblates around the world, Fr. Clarence prays for you and all our co-missionaries daily.
Recently, Fr. Clarence became the oldest Missionary Oblate in the world. We’d like to make this birthday even more special.
Would you take a moment to send a birthday wish to Fr. Clarence?
We will print these notes out and give them to him to read on his birthday.
Please continue to keep Fr. Clarence and all the elder Missionary Oblates in your prayers!
Photo of Fr. Clarence at his 100th birthday, which occurred during COVID-19.
