+ Fr. Josip (Mate) Abramovic
Fr. Joe was born February 16, 1935 in Brusani-Lika, Croatia. He left his homeland as a nine-year old child and spent the next five years in different Austrian camps. In 1947 the Croatian Franciscans took him under their wing in Italy where he completed his high school years. He came to the USA on September 24, 1951 and than studied at St. Joseph Seminary in Westmont, IL.  In 1953 he received the Franciscan habit in Paterson, New Jersey. He continued his studies in Rye Beach, New Hampshire, at St. Bonaventure University in New York, in Butler, New Jersey and finally at Holy Name College in Washington D.C. He was ordained in Washington D.C. on March 12, 1960. As his pastoral life commenced, Fr. Joe worked at the following parishes: St. Joseph in Bethlehem as assistant pastor (1961-1971) and then as pastor of the same parish from 1971-1979. He was pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Milwaukee from 1979-1982, St. Mary's in Steelton from 1985-1988 and from 1990-2010 was pastor of St. Joseph's Church in St. Louis. Fr. Joe held very important roles in our Franciscan Custody. He was Custos from 1982-1985; member of the Custodial Board from 1973-1976 and 1997-2000. He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper Danica from 1988 to 1990.

Father Joseph (Mate) Abramovic, a member of the Holy Family Croatian Franciscan Custody of the United States and Canada, died on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 in Chicago's Mercy hospital. Father Joe was in his 77th year of life, 59th year of entering the seminary, and 52nd year of ordination. The Mass of Resurection was held on Thursday, January 26th in St. Jerome's church, and burial followed in Holy Sepulchre cemetery where the Croatian Franciscans of America have a community gravesite. May he rest in Peace!