Friar Basil Heiser died on January 12, 2009 at 100 years of age

At around the time of his 100th birthday, Friar Basil Heiser sat down with Friar Jim Kent and recorded a podcast interview about his vocation in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. This interview is featured below. Sadly it also turned out to be Friar Basil's final recording. Just over a week after his birthday celebration, Friar Basil died peacefully at a hospital in Rome.

A Conventual Franciscan for more than 80 years, Friar Basil always placed himself in the hands of God, feeling in his heart God's love for all of humanity. He understood that God had a plan for him as a friar. This is where the strength of Friar Basil's vocation came from: his total dependence on the grace of God.

Hailing from Indiana, Friar Basil became Minister Provincial of Our Lady of Consolation Province (which includes his home state) in 1954. He fulfilled his role as Minister Provincial until 1960 when he was elected Minister General of the entire order. The new position required him to move to Rome, where he remained for the rest of his life.

For 12 years Friar Basil led the Order of Friars Minor Conventual during a time of great change in the Roman Catholic Church. He participated in the Second Vatican Council and argued for a powerful social ministry within the entire Church. After completing his final term as Minister General in 1972, Friar Basil served as Under-secretary to the Congregation of the Religious for ten years.

Minister General Friar Marco Tasca with former Minister General Friar Basil Heiser

As a "retired" friar, Basil Heiser kept busy writing and supporting his fellow friars with stories from his vast array of experiences. He eagerly participated in life and will be missed by his brothers in the order.

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