Peter Biasiotto, OFM

1907 – 1989

Fr. Peter Regulatus Biasiotto, OFM, was born May 21, 1907 in Allentown, Pa. He entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., in 1922 and was a clarinet player in Brother Roger’s orchestra. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1927 and professed temporary vows one year later. Fr. Peter made his solemn profession in 1931 and was ordained in 1934.

Following ordination, Fr. Peter was sent to Innsbruck, Austria, to study dogmatic theology. When Hitler took over Austria, Fr. Peter transferred to St. Anthony’s Pontifical University in Rome, where he completed his studies in 1938, receiving his doctorate in sacred theology. In 1943, he published his dissertation, “The History of the Development of Devotion to the Holy Name.”

After teaching theology at St. Bonaventure Seminary, Allegany, N.Y., Fr. Peter became the first American to teach at the Antonianum in Rome. One year later, he was recalled to the Province to teach theology at St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J., and eventually at Holy Name College in Washington. In 1962, Fr. Peter entered a new ministry when he became an associate at St. Anne’s Parish in Fair Lawn, N.J. He served as pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Butler, N.J., for six years. He was assigned to St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I., in 1970 and retired in 1973.

He died on March 30, 1989 at St. Joseph Hospital in Paterson. Fr. Peter was 81 years old, a professed friar for 60 years and a priest for 54 years.