Born Thomas Malone on November 30, 1863 in Dunkirk, New York, he was the son of James Malone and Ellen Duggan. He was educated at St. Mary’s School by the Sisters of St. Joseph. As a young boy he began to take lessons in Latin at St. Mary’s Monastery, Dunkirk in 1877. In 1880 he entered the Passionist novitiate at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was professed on June 21, 1881. His religious name was Basil. He was ordained on May 26, 1888 by Bishop Phelan of Pittsburgh. After ordination he was appointed professor of philosophy and then theology which he taught for nine consecutive years. He was director of students. It is said that he could be quite a severe disciplinarian; however that might be due to the fact that his own director had been a disciplinarian as well. Still he did his best to teach the life and virtues of St. Paul of the Cross. He then became a preacher of parish missions and renewals. He was vicar and then superior of the foundation in Chicago, Illinois and then later rector of St. Mary’s, Dunkirk. Beginning in 1915 his health began to fail. Pneumonia developed into tuberculosis. He was sent to sanitariums in the east and west in hope that he would recover. Finally at the request of Father Malone he was sent to his home town of Dunkirk where he died.
Birth Date:
November 30, 1863
Profession Date:
June 21, 1881
Ordination Date:
May 26, 1888
Death Date:
June 12, 1918
Religious Name:
Basil of Holy Mary Malone