The Comboni Missionaries currently living at the Cincinnati Mission Center visited Fr. Joe on Thursday, March 17, to celebrate his 60th ordination annivesary. Back row, from left: Fr. Louie Gasparini, Fr. John Converset, Fr. Paul Ewers, Fr. Jean Philippe Lokpo, and Fr. David Baltz. Front Row: Fr. Ruffino Ezama and Fr. Joe Bragotti.
On St. Patrick’s Day, 60 years ago, Fr. Joseph Bragotti was ordained a Comboni Missionary Priest. Since then, he’s lived every day in Mission.
Today, friends and confreres of Fr. Joe had the joy of celebrating his 60th anniversary of ordination. More than 20 people joined Fr. Joe at the Eastgate Springs Retirement Community where he now resides.
While Fr. Joe’s days of wild adventures have slowed down, he is still in the business of serving God. Now that he is living in the retirement home, friends have the chance to care for Fr. Joe while continuing to learn from him and grow their faith.
During his more active years, Fr. Joe’s mission experience ranged from serving as a formater in the North American Province, to being kidnapped by rebels in Uganda, and to learning a new language at the age of 70 so he could go to mission in Guatemala.
Fr. Joe is first and foremost a missionary. He loves people and serving as one of God’s many shepherds. But, Fr. Joe is also a storyteller. He becomes animated when talking about his family back in Italy, or sharing stories from his time living in Uganda in the 1960s.
Happy Anniversary Fr. Joe! We are all blessed to know you and be part of your incredible life.
