The Reverend Father Basil Louis Franciose, O.S.B. ’17, a member of the Saint Anselm monastic community, was ordained to the priesthood by The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church. The culmination of years of monastic formation and seminary studies, Father Basil now takes his place in the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Father Basil was presented for ordination by The Right Reverend Mark A. Cooper, O.S.B. ’71, Abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey.
During the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Libasci offered words of instruction and encouragement: “My son, you are now to be advanced to the order of the presbyterate. You must apply your energies to the duty of teaching in the name of Christ, the chief Teacher. Share with all mankind the word of God you have received with joy. Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believer, and put into practice what you teach.”
Following the Litany of the Saints, the Laying on of Hands, and the Prayer of Ordination, Father Basil was invested with the priestly stole and chasuble by Abbot Mark.
Father Basil completed his seminary studies by earning a Master’s in Divinity at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts
Reflecting on his ordination, Father Basil noted, “I am blessed to be able to unite my monastic life and vows to that of the priesthood, both grounded in sacrifice out of love from Jesus Christ. I look forward to being of service to the monastic community and college community as a priest in the many years ahead of me.”
On Sunday,June 18, 2023, Father Basil celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Father Aloysius Sarasin, O.S.B. ’17 served as homilist. Mentioned in the homily was the recent increase in vocations to Saint Anselm Abbey with 4 priests, Fathers Aloysius, Francis, Titus, and Basil being ordained in the past year.
Father Basil is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the son of Larry and Lori Franciose and was a parishioner of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Holladay, Utah. He graduated from Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2013 and attended Saint Anselm College, graduating in 2017 with a degree in theology, and a minor in philosophy. He will begin service at Saint Anselm College this summer as Student-Athlete Support Coordinator in the Department of Athletics.
Ordination Photos
First Mass Photos
