Q&A with newest Basilan priest, UST alumnus, Rev. David Basil
The Rev. David Basil, CSB, was ordained by the Bishop of the Diocese of London (Canada), Bishop Ronald Fabbro, CSB, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Windsor, Ontario (Canada). An alumnus of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Fr. David '19 will be parochial vicar at the parish where he was ordained.
To celebrate this wonderful announcement of the Basilan Fathers, who founded the University of St. Thomas in 1947, Senior Director of Communications Bridget Richardson engaged in a Q&A with Fr. David upon his ordination.
Bridget Richardson: Congratulations again on your ordination! I’d love to learn a little bit more about you. Where did you grow up?
Rev. David Basil, CSB: I was born in Africa and raised in different parts of the world, an experience that allowed me to encounter diverse cultures, peoples and ways of life. Throughout that journey, I was blessed to belong to families and communities that valued faith, perseverance, education and service to others.
From a young age, the Church played a central role in my life. The witness of many faithful people—priests, religious, dedicated lay men and women, and especially my grandparents, aunts and uncles—helped shape my understanding of discipleship and planted the seeds of a vocation that would continue to grow over the years.
My upbringing taught me the importance of community, gratitude, selflessness, mercy and hospitality, particularly toward strangers and those in need. These values were not simply taught; they were lived and modeled for me every day. They continue to shape how I approach priesthood and ministry, reminding me that the Gospel is most powerfully preached when it is embodied in concrete acts of love and service.
BRR: How did you decide to come to UST?
Fr. David: The Basilian Fathers, because of their affiliation to UST Houston, asked me to consider enrolling. I was discerning my future studies and formation; the University of St. Thomas in Houston offered exactly this kind of environment—one where intellectual growth, spiritual formation and community life were deeply connected. Also, I was drawn to UST's strong Catholic identity and its commitment to forming men and women who seek truth, pursue excellence and dedicate themselves to serving others.
I must also confess that UST offered me a very generous scholarship, which certainly helped make the decision easier! (LOL) Though, seriously, looking back, accepting that scholarship was one of the greatest blessings of my life. Thank you, UST Houston!
Coming to UST Houston opened the door to a diverse, vibrant and faith-filled Catholic community while providing me with an education that prepared me academically, pastorally and spiritually for ministry. What impressed me most about UST was that the professors were not only experts in their fields but also genuinely invested in the formation of the whole person. They cared not only about what we knew, but about who we were becoming.
Whether you are discerning priesthood, religious life, marriage, professional ministry or another vocation altogether, UST Houston provides an environment where you can grow and be challenged. The opportunities for formation are everywhere—in the classroom, in Campus Ministry, in service, in friendships and in prayer. But you must be willing to be formed.
That, perhaps, is what makes UST Houston special. It is not merely a place where knowledge is imparted; it is a place where lives are transformed. If you are open to the process, UST Houston will help shape not only your mind, but also your heart, your faith and your sense of mission in the world. UST Houston does not prepare people for exams; it prepares you for life! (Boom)
BRR: That’s wonderful! Tell me about your time at UST and St. Mary's Seminary. What memories stand out?
Fr. David: My years at the University of St. Thomas in Houston and St. Mary's Seminary were among the most formative years of my life. While I am grateful for the academic formation I received, some of my most treasured memories were much quieter. Many of my best moments were spent in the chapel at St. Mary's Seminary, and the Keon House chapel. It was there, before the Blessed Sacrament, that I learned to listen more attentively to God's voice, to bring my hopes and struggles to prayer and to deepen my relationship with Christ. Those hours in these chapels sustained and shaped my vocation in profound ways.
Another highlight of my time at UST Houston was becoming closely involved with Campus Ministry under the leadership of Eduardo Rivera. Working alongside Fr. Eduardo and the Campus Ministry team gave me countless opportunities to serve and grow in leadership with Fr. Eduardo as my mentor. What began as ministry soon became friendship and community. I was deeply touched that many of those friends and colleagues traveled to be present at my ordination. Their presence was a powerful reminder of how much the UST Houston community has meant to me and how many people have helped shape the priest I am becoming.
Looking back, it is the combination of prayer, formation, friendship and service that stands out most. UST Houston and St. Mary's Seminary provided me not only with an education but with a community that helped me discern God's call and prepare for a lifetime of priestly ministry.
BRR: That’s great! I saw several familiar faces in the ordination video that was posted on social media by the Basilian Father. If you had to pick one thing, what was especially formative about your time at UST?
Fr. David: UST helped me appreciate the harmony between faith and reason. It challenged me to think critically, engage deeply with theology and philosophy, and encounter people from diverse backgrounds. Including those who negated God’s existence.
Most importantly, it helped me grow as a disciple. My education was never merely academic; it was part of a broader process of becoming the person God is calling me to be.
BRR: That’s beautiful. Those interactions and that dialogue of faith and reason—is that what led you to discern the priesthood?
Fr. David: My vocation did not emerge from one single moment but through a gradual awareness that God was inviting me to something deeper. Through prayer, service in the Church, meaningful relationships and the encouragement of others, I began to recognize a desire to dedicate my life entirely to Christ and His people.
As I grew in faith, I became increasingly drawn to the sacramental life of the Church and the possibility of serving God's people as a priest. What began as a quiet invitation eventually became a conviction that I could no longer ignore. As well, along the way have been many affirming voices of the people which brought us to the great day of Saturday June 13.
BRR: What was the journey of discernment like, and why did you choose the Basilians?
Fr. David: Discernment is often less about finding the perfect answer and more about learning to listen carefully to God's voice. Over time, I encountered the Basilian Fathers and was deeply attracted to their mission, community life, and commitment to education and evangelization. Most of all, they are very patient with me, which has allowed me to grow into Christ’s love.
The Basilian charism of forming people through faith and learning resonated strongly with me. I also experienced and am still experiencing genuine fraternity among the Basilians. Their example helped me see how priesthood can be lived in community while remaining committed to serving the broader Church.
BRR: How did you prepare for ordination?
Fr. David: Preparation for ordination for me involved much more than planning a ceremony. (The Basilian Fathers here did most prep work, I was more of a consultant) It was primarily a spiritual preparation rooted in prayer, gratitude and deep reflection.
I have spent considerable time reflecting on God's faithfulness throughout my life and upon the many people, most of them Basilians, who have helped me reach this moment. Ordination is not simply the completion of a journey; it is the beginning of a new mission to serve as Christ serves, and love as Christ loves offering my life freely for God’s people.
BRR: Do you know your assignment after ordination yet?
Fr. David: Yes. Following ordination, I have been assigned to ministry within the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes in Windsor, Ontario. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve God's people through sacramental ministry, evangelization, faith formation and pastoral accompaniment. Actually, I got my letter of assignment a week after but was dated the day after my ordination, June 14.
BRR: What most excites you about your ordination and becoming a Basilian?
Fr. David: One aspect of my ordination that is particularly meaningful to me is that I am the first African American to be ordained within the Basilian Fathers. I receive that distinction with profound gratitude and humility, not as a personal achievement, but as a sign of hope. My sincere prayer is that I will not be the last. I hope my vocation encourages others from diverse backgrounds to be open to God's call and to see themselves reflected in the life and mission of the Church.
What excites me most about being a Basilian is the opportunity to dedicate my life completely to Christ and His Church while sharing that mission alongside my Basilian brothers. I look forward to accompanying people on their journeys of faith, helping them discover the unique way God is calling them to love, serve and flourish. There is great joy in witnessing someone recognize God's voice in their life and take a courageous step in response. If my priesthood can help even a few people discern and embrace that call, I will consider it a tremendous blessing.
Being a Basilian means sharing in a tradition that values education, evangelization, community and the formation of future generations. What excites me most is the opportunity to accompany people on their faith journeys and help them encounter Christ.
As a Basilian, I am continually challenged to configure my life more closely to Christ—to embrace His self-giving love, to walk with those who are wounded, neglected or forgotten, and to be a sign of hope wherever God sends me. I have found that Basilian life, with its strong emphasis on community, prayer and ministry, provides an ideal environment for living out that mission. This will help me not only to become a better priest, but a more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
BRR: That’s incredible. Is there a particular Basilian charism you identify with most?
Fr. David: Not specifically, but the Basilian commitment to evangelization through education resonates deeply with me. Faith formation is not only about sharing information; it is about helping people encounter Jesus Christ and grow as disciples who are still being formed and drawn to Christ’s heart.
I believe authentic evangelization occurs when people experience both truth and genuine pastoral care which embodies Christ’s love. This vision has greatly influenced my ministry.
BRR: Well, this conversation has been a privilege. Thank you for sharing your story. Is there anything else about UST, Houston or St. Mary's Seminary you’d like to add?
Fr. David: I remain deeply grateful for my years at UST and St. Mary's Seminary. Both institutions provided much more than an education; they provided a community that supported my vocational journey. I encountered God’s tender love and mercy through both communities. I made a lot of friends from both communities. I am grateful for the time that I had at both UST Houston and St. Mary’s Seminary.
Houston is and will always be home for me. The friendships, mentors and experiences I received there continue to shape my life and priesthood today. I carry profound gratitude for everyone who helped form me and for the opportunities, and relationships God provided through UST Houston and St. Mary's Seminary.
If a chance were to be given, I would choose to have again my time at UST Houston and St. Mary’s Seminary. Forever in my heart. Thank you, God bless.