Patrick Thomas O'Reilly

Patrick Thomas O'Reilly (December 24, 1833 – May 28, 1892) was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts (1870-1892).

Patrick Thomas O'Reilly
Born	December 24, 1833
Died	May 28, 1892 (aged 58)

Biography

O'Reilly was born in Cavan, Ireland. He came to Boston in his boyhood. He studied at St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland) and then classics at St. Charles's College, Maryland, theology at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, and was ordained in Boston, 15 August 1857, by Bishop Bacon of Portland. He served as assistant to Father Boyce at St. John's Church, Worcester, till 1862, when he was sent to organize the parish of St. Joseph's, Boston. In 1864 he returned to Worcester as pastor of St. John's. There he remained until he was appointed Bishop of Springfield (28 June 1870), being consecrated 25 September of the same year. He ruled the Diocese of Springfield for twenty-one years and a half. During this time its population increased from 90,000 to 200,000; its priests from 43 to 196; its religious women from 12 to 321; its parishes from 43 to 96; its schools from 2 to 30. Bishop O'Reilly confirmed 77,000 persons. He dedicated 45 churches, and laid the cornerstones of nearly a hundred buildings consecrated either to religion or to education. He gave encouragement to works of charity. The hospital of the Sisters of Providence of Holyoke and the orphan asylums at Holyoke and at Worcester were begun during his administration.

References

External links

This article incorporates text from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article "Springfield" by Thomas Cummings, a publication now in the public domain.