Friar Justin Biase, OFM Conv. was elected Minister Provincial of the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province in April, 2005. In January, 2010, he was re-elected as Minister Provincial for another four year term. He previously served as Vicar Provincial for a period of 8 years. In addition to his current responsibilities, he also serves on the National Board of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.

Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, he is an alumnus of St. Francis High School and Seminary, class of 1961. He completed his novitiate in Middleburgh, NY in 1962, at which time he professed his first vows as a Franciscan friar. He professed his solemn vows in 1965, completing his college education at St. Hyacinth College-Seminary, Granby, Massachusetts in 1966. Upon completion of his theological education at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary, Rensselaer, NY, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1970 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, NY. He also did graduate studies in sociology at Fordham University.

His first eleven years of pastoral ministry was spent living and working within the African American community at St. Bartholomew Church, Camden, NJ after which he spent seven years ministering within the Hispanic community at St. Joseph’s Church, Hoboken, NJ. From 1989 to 1995, he served as Director of Novices at St. Francis Novitiate, Staten Island, NY.

In 1996 he moved to Syracuse, NY where he worked to establish Franciscan Collaborative Ministries – a joint effort of the Conventual Franciscan Friars and the Sisters of St. Francis - which sponsors a number of ministries serving the poor within the city. In 2001, he became the Rector of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption in Syracuse, the first permanent foundation and motherhouse of the Conventual Franciscan Friars in North America. Upon his election as Minister Provincial in 2005, he took up residence in Rensselaer, NY where he now resides.