Vincentian Father Charles E. Miller, a former rector of St. John's Seminary who taught the basics of liturgy and homiletics to hundreds of priests for nearly five decades, died Feb. 19 of leukemia complications in New Orleans.

Father Miller, 75, had been diagnosed with leukemia Jan. 31 and was making a final visit to his birthplace to spend time with his family, according to the local Vincentian community.

Two Funeral Masses were scheduled: Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church, Newbury Park (where Father Miller served for many years as an auxiliary priest), and Feb. 25, 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Visitation was scheduled Feb. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. John's Seminary Chapel in Camarillo, and interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles.

On Jan. 25, Father Miller had been honored at a special "Evening of Appreciation" at St. John's, marking his 48 years as a teacher and administrator at St. John's, his retirement from full-time teaching, and his 75th birthday. He also received the Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice award and medal, a papal honor recognizing outstanding service to the church and the pope.

In a statement, Cardinal Roger Mahony, one of Father Miller's many former students, called him "a learned, gifted, and talented member of the Congregation for the Mission [the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers]. He was a model disciple of Jesus Christ, an exemplary priest, and a Churchman of unequalled commitment."

The cardinal in 1989 presented Father Miller with the archdiocese's first Laudatus Award for contributions to the liturgical renewal and the church of Southern California.

"Every priest ordained from St. John's Seminary in Camarillo from 1956 forward would have been graced by the prayerfulness, dedication and extraordinary talents of this generous priest who gave of himself totally in the preparation of priests and in the formation of the laity," said the cardinal. "He was deeply imbued with the spirit and teaching of the Second Vatican Council in all matters, but especially in the fields of homiletics and liturgy."

Born Dec. 11, 1929 in New Orleans, Charles Miller was ordained a Vincentian priest on May 27, 1956, and was soon thereafter assigned to St. John's Seminary. In his 48 years at St. John's, Father Miller taught biology, homiletics and sacred liturgy to approximately 900 seminarians who later became priests in the many dioceses and religious communities served by St. John's Seminary. He served as St. John's Theologate vice rector (1961-73) and rector (1978-87).

A sought-after speaker at conferences, workshops and retreats throughout the country, Father Miller authored 125 books and countless articles to various newspapers (including The Tidings), and his weekly column on liturgy appeared in many diocesan newspapers.

His most recent book was "Mass on Sunday and Other Ways of Being Catholic," which Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala --- one of Father Miller's former students who later served, like Father Miller, as St. John's rector --- called "impressive in its insight into the Eucharistic Liturgy as the font and summit of Catholic faith and prayer."

Said Cardinal Mahony: "Father Miller's deep love for the church's liturgy prompted him to become a strong advocate for the proper preparation and celebration of the Eucharist. He loved celebrating Mass, and he cherished the opportunity to form and train priests with a similar love for the Eucharist. He understood well that Mass well celebrated, together with a challenging homily, was the key to deepen discipleship among all the people of God and to renew the entire church.

Among his other books are "Ordained To Preach," "Together In Prayer," "Sunday Preaching," "Opening The Treasures: A Book Of Daily Homily Meditations" and "Mother And Disciple." He was named the first recipient of the Wilfred C. and Mary Jane Von der Ahe Chair of Homiletics and Liturgy at St. John's Seminary, a post he held up to his death.

"On the human level, he possessed and shared a great sense of humor," said the cardinal. "He accepted life as a gift from God and enjoyed those many informal times with confreres, with seminarians, and with others who loved the liturgy. He had a passionate interest in the Los Angeles Dodgers, enjoyed attending their games, and was frustrated when their season was not going so well."

Although visibly not well at the Jan. 25 celebration evening, Father Miller nonetheless was present in alb and stole, concelebrating what would be his last public Mass with the Community and friends. Cardinal Mahony noted that their last conversation was by telephone on Feb. 5, about two weeks before his death.

"We spoke directly about the fullness of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, and that this year the sufferings, death and Resurrection of Jesus would be lived out in his life as never before," he said. "He accepted serenely the path down which God was calling him, and mentioned several times that at long last he was being called to live out deeply and in his body what he had preached for so many decades before."

Father Miller's words and images, Cardinal Mahony said, "will surely live on for the spiritual nourishment of many future generations of seminarians and priests. May St. Vincent de Paul escort him into the fullness of God's love and light."

Father Miller is survived by his brother Clarence, a niece and two nephews, two grand nieces and a grand nephew. An older brother, Vincentian Father Oscar Miller, died in 2002.

Donations may be made to St. John's Seminary (Charles Miller Theological Symposium), 5012 Seminary Road, Camarillo, CA 93012, or to Vincentian Fathers, Province of the West, 420 Date Street, Montebello, CA 90640.