Deceased Friars

John B Vogel, OFM

John Baptist Vogel

1920 – 1975

Fr. John Baptist Vogel, OFM, was born on Jan. 15, 1920 in Bradford, Pa. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1939, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1943 and was ordained in 1945.

A member of the original faculty of Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y., he served as teacher and vice-principal during his seven years there. In 1952, Fr. John joined the Province’s missionary venture in Brazil, where he worked for the next 23 years. For eight years, Fr. John worked on the staff of the Colegio Sao Francisco in Anapolis, eventually becoming director and spiritual leader of the community.

A friar of many talents, he used them all in his ministry of education as a teacher and administrator; as a model of openness and pastoral planning when he was pastor; and an innovator in the field of mass media and communication. In 1965, Fr. John became pastor of Ouirinopolis — a city known for its lawlessness. On one occasion, after a series of revenge killings, Fr. John summoned the population to a day of prayer. Through persuasive reasoning and Franciscan love in action, Fr. John gradually brought a new spirit of brotherliness to both the parish and the city.

Illness forced him to return to Boston for medical care. He died there on Nov. 25, 1975 at Peter Brent Brigham Hospital. Fr. John was 55 years old, a professed friar for 35 years and a priest for 30 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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John B Vogel, OFM

John Baptist Vogel

1920 – 1975

Fr. John Baptist Vogel, OFM, was born on Jan. 15, 1920 in Bradford, Pa. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1939, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1943 and was ordained in 1945.

A member of the original faculty of Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y., he served as teacher and vice-principal during his seven years there. In 1952, Fr. John joined the Province’s missionary venture in Brazil, where he worked for the next 23 years. For eight years, Fr. John worked on the staff of the Colegio Sao Francisco in Anapolis, eventually becoming director and spiritual leader of the community.

A friar of many talents, he used them all in his ministry of education as a teacher and administrator; as a model of openness and pastoral planning when he was pastor; and an innovator in the field of mass media and communication. In 1965, Fr. John became pastor of Ouirinopolis — a city known for its lawlessness. On one occasion, after a series of revenge killings, Fr. John summoned the population to a day of prayer. Through persuasive reasoning and Franciscan love in action, Fr. John gradually brought a new spirit of brotherliness to both the parish and the city.

Illness forced him to return to Boston for medical care. He died there on Nov. 25, 1975 at Peter Brent Brigham Hospital. Fr. John was 55 years old, a professed friar for 35 years and a priest for 30 years.