Thomas Grace (bishop of Saint Paul)

Thomas Grace
File:Thomas Grace (bishop of Saint Paul).png
Born	Thomas Langdon Grace (1814-11-14)November 14, 1814 Charleston, South Carolina
Died	Saint Paul, Minnesota
Resting place	Calvary Cemetery
Occupation	Clergyman
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Thomas Langdon Grace OP (14 November 1814 – 22 February 1897) was an American prelate who served as the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Life

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Grace entered the seminary at Cincinnati in 1829, and, the following year, was admitted to the Dominican Order at the Priory of St. Rose in Kentucky, where he made his religious profession on 12 June 1831. In 1837 he went to Rome for further studies, where he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Patrizi on 21 December 1839. After his return to the United States in 1844 he ministered first in Kentucky, and afterwards for 13 years in Memphis, Tennessee.

Pope Pius IX appointed Grace the Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Paul in Minnesota on January 21, 1859, for which he was consecrated on July 24, 1859. He was installed as bishop on July 29, 1859 after a year and a half long period of sede vacante in that see. A capable administrator, he served to organize the diocese, focusing on education and service both to the Native Americans of the region as well as to the newly-arriving immigrants.

Grace resigned on July 31, 1884, succeeded by John Ireland. Shortly after that, he was named the titular bishop of Mennith. On September 24, 1889, in recognition of his service as bishop, he was appointed to the titular see of Siuna, with the personal title of archbishop.

Upon his death in Merriam Park on February 22, 1897, Grace was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Saint Paul.

Legacy

Totino-Grace High School, a Roman Catholic high school in Fridley, Minnesota, bears his name.

The city of Graceville, Minnesota was named in his honor.

Notes

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Joseph Crétin	Bishop of St. Paul 1859–1884	Succeeded by John Ireland