Deceased Friars


Fabian Lepich, OFM

Fabian Lepich

1881 – 1952

Fr. Fabian Lepich, OFM, was born in Peishretscham, then part of Germany, on Oct. 28, 1880. He entered the novitiate in 1896 and professed his temporary vows on Christmas Day the following year. In 1901, Fr. Fabian made his profession of solemn vows and was ordained a priest in 1904.

Fr. Fabian was among the early German pioneer friars who were the foundation of Holy Name Province at the turn of the 20th century. He was in need of a leg amputation, but after prayers and the application of a relic of Mother Frances Schervier, the operation was deemed unnecessary.

Fr. Fabian’s cure was one of the leading miracles proposed for the initial proceedings in Mother Schervier’s cause for possible beatification. However, he never completely recovered from his illness and lived a secluded life of prayer.

Calm and soft-spoken, Fr. Fabian endured unrelenting pain with patience until his death on Aug. 13, 1952, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, N.J. He was 71 years old, a professed friar for 54 years and a priest for 48 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Fabian Lepich, OFM

Fabian Lepich

1881 – 1952

Fr. Fabian Lepich, OFM, was born in Peishretscham, then part of Germany, on Oct. 28, 1880. He entered the novitiate in 1896 and professed his temporary vows on Christmas Day the following year. In 1901, Fr. Fabian made his profession of solemn vows and was ordained a priest in 1904.

Fr. Fabian was among the early German pioneer friars who were the foundation of Holy Name Province at the turn of the 20th century. He was in need of a leg amputation, but after prayers and the application of a relic of Mother Frances Schervier, the operation was deemed unnecessary.

Fr. Fabian’s cure was one of the leading miracles proposed for the initial proceedings in Mother Schervier’s cause for possible beatification. However, he never completely recovered from his illness and lived a secluded life of prayer.

Calm and soft-spoken, Fr. Fabian endured unrelenting pain with patience until his death on Aug. 13, 1952, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, N.J. He was 71 years old, a professed friar for 54 years and a priest for 48 years.