Reverend Robert Swann Pittman SSS

Father Robert Swann Pittman, 93, of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, died peacefully but suddenly on April 24, 2022, at Regina Health Center, Richfield, Ohio. He was the son of Robert Pittman and Alice (nee Wade). He was preceded in death by his three brothers. Father Pittman was born in Washington DC on June 22, 1928, and baptized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on July 15, 1928.

Father Robert began his journey of religious life with the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS) in Barre, Massachusetts, beginning postulancy in 1950 and continuing through novitiate to his profession of religious vows on August 3, 1953. Father Pittman studied philosophy at the Congregation’s major seminary of Saint Joseph in Cleveland, Ohio. At the University of Saint Thomas (Angelicum University) in Rome, he continued studies for his doctorate in theology, Greek and Latin, and classical languages. He was ordained a priest in Rome on July 13, 1958. Father Pittman studied for another degree later in his life, a Master of Arts degree, in Agricultural Education, at the University of Maryland due to his extensive work at the Body of Christ Farm Community in Waldorf, Maryland, in agriculture.

After ordination, he taught in the seminary in Maputo, Mozambique (1959-60), Africa, Wareside, England (1960-64), and Washington, DC (1964-80). In 1981 he founded the love of his life, the Body of Christ Farm Community, where he ministered until a stroke and required supportive health care at Regina Health Center in 2017, where he has lived until his death. His passion was founding the Black Leadership and Christ’s Kingdom Society, preparing local children at the farm about the Eucharist, and preparing them for their first reception of Holy Communion. He also instructed many people who frequented the farm about prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and living the Eucharist to bring about justice and unity. He will be missed by his religious community, remaining family and the Body of Christ Farm Community.

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is grateful to the staff of Regina Health Center for caring for Father Pittman for several years. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Regina Health Center in the Holy Family Chapel on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 11:00 am. Before the Mass, there will be a visitation and vigil for the deceased at 10:00 am in the chapel. The burial will be private.