Friar Basil Heiser

HEISER Friar Basil (Herman), OFM, Conv Friar Basil (Herman) Heiser, OFM Conv died January 12, 2009, at the age of 100. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, January 4, 1909. He entered the Conventual Franciscan Friars July 12, 1925. Fr. Basil professed his Solemn Vows on February 11, 1930 in Rome. He studied at St. Anthony Seminary in Rensselaer, New York, USA. Following this, he completed his theological studies at the Pontifical Faculty of St. Bonaventure in Rome, where he received his License on July 1, 1932. On January 24, that same year, he was ordained a Priest. Father Basil was involved in the formation of friars both as a professor and Rector of seminaries in Carey, Ohio and Chaska, Minnesota. In 1954 he was elected Minister Provincial of his Province, and was reconfirmed in that office in 1957. At the conclusion of this term, June 4, 1960, he was elected by the General Chapter as the 114th successor of St. Francis, assuming the office of Minister General of the Order. On November 21, 1972, Pope Paul VI named him undersecretary for the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes, a job which he held for twelve years, until December 19, 1984. Father Basil had just celebrated his 100th birthday on January 4, 2009 in Rome where he had resided for many, many years. His funeral Mass was celebrated at Sancti Apostoli, in Rome. Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring St., New Albany, Indiana in charge of local arrangements