Rev. Joseph A. Bracken, S.J.

Rev. Joseph A. Bracken, S.J., was called to eternal life on April 13, 2024 in Wauwatosa, WI. He was 94 years old, a Jesuit for 74 years and a priest for 61 years. Born in Chicago, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1949 and was ordained a priest in 1962. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Xavier University, a licentiate in sacred theology at West Baden College, a master’s degree in philosophy at Loyola University Chicago, and a Ph.D. at the University of Freiburg in Germany. He taught at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland (1956-1959), St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, IL (1968-1974), Marquette University (1974-1982), and Xavier University (1982-2018), with visiting professorships in India, Japan, Kenya, and Ireland. At Xavier he chaired the theology department and directed the Brueggeman Center for Interreligious Dialogue. His 11 books and 150 articles focused on a synthesis of revealed religion and Christian trinitarian doctrines with a revised process theology. He moved to St. Camillus Jesuit Community in 2018 to care for his health. He was preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Agnes (Ryan) Bracken and his brother Edward and sister-in-law Mary. He is survived by his brother Robert (Joan) and 10 nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial at St. Camillus Jesuit Community on April 26 at 11:00 a.m. His cremains will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee Memorials to St. Camillus Jesuit Community, 10201 W Wisconsin Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.