John Mary Odin

John Mary Odin (February 25, 1807-May 25, 1870) was a noted Roman Catholic prelate. He was born in Ambierle, France, in 1807.

He attended the Seminary of St. Mary's of the Barrens, in Perry County, Missouri, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1824. He served as a missionary in Arkansas and Missouri, and later director of the seminary at which he studied from 1824-1840, except for a period in 1833-1835 when he went to Europe to seek funds and personnel for his work. He was appointed the vice prefect of Texas in 1840, and served in that position until 1842. On July 16, 1841, he became the first vicar apostolic of Texas (and bishop "in partibus" of Claudiopolis). On May 4, 1847, he was ordained the first bishop of Galveston, Texas. He remained in that position through 1861. During his time there, he founded the College of the Immaculate Conception there, and made annual trips through his diocese preaching to the Native Americans and settlers. In 1867, he was appointed archbishop of New Orleans, and remained at that position through 1870, including a trip to the First Vatican Council. He died in Ambierle in 1870. His enduring legacy includes the consolidation of the Catholic Church in Texas, and the establishment of the "Morning Star", Louisiana's first English language Catholic newspaper.

References

*"Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896." Chicago: Quincy Who's Who, 1963.
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/OO/fod2.html biographical sketch at Handbook of Texas Online]
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