Deceased Friars

Xystus Will, OFM

Xystus Will

1874 – 1964

Br. Xystus Will, OFM, was born on July 28, 1874 in Motten, near Wurzburg, Germany. He entered the Franciscan novitiate in 1900, professing temporary vows one year later. Br. Xystus professed solemn vows in 1904.

For many years, Br. Xystus was the cook at St. Francis Friary on West 31st Street in New York City. In the late 1920s, he decided to return to his native country, where he lived and worked in Tyrol. For many years, he was stationed at Innsbruck, Austria, and after his retirement, he lived at the clericate house in Schwaz, Austria, near Innsbruck.

He was the senior brother of Holy Name Province when he died on Sept. 23, 1964 in Schwaz. Br. Xystus was 90 years old, a professed friar for nearly 63 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Xystus Will, OFM

Xystus Will

1874 – 1964

Br. Xystus Will, OFM, was born on July 28, 1874 in Motten, near Wurzburg, Germany. He entered the Franciscan novitiate in 1900, professing temporary vows one year later. Br. Xystus professed solemn vows in 1904.

For many years, Br. Xystus was the cook at St. Francis Friary on West 31st Street in New York City. In the late 1920s, he decided to return to his native country, where he lived and worked in Tyrol. For many years, he was stationed at Innsbruck, Austria, and after his retirement, he lived at the clericate house in Schwaz, Austria, near Innsbruck.

He was the senior brother of Holy Name Province when he died on Sept. 23, 1964 in Schwaz. Br. Xystus was 90 years old, a professed friar for nearly 63 years.