Thomas Heslin
Irish-born prelate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas Heslin (April 17, 1847 – February 22, 1911) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Natchez in Mississippi from 1889 until his death in 1911.
Thomas Heslin | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Natchez | |
| |
| Church | Catholic |
| Diocese | Diocese of Natchez |
| Appointed | March 29, 1889 |
| Predecessor | Francis Janssens |
| Successor | John Edward Gunn |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | September 8, 1869 by John Quinlan |
| Consecration | June 18, 1889 by Francis Janssens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21, 1845 |
| Died | February 22, 1911 (aged 65) |
| Motto | Jesus Maria (Jesus Mary) |
| Styles of Thomas Heslin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Biography
Early life
One of seven children, Thomas Heslin was born on April 17, 1847, in Killoe, County Longford, to Patrick and Catherine (née Hughes) Heslin.[1] Upon the completion of his classical studies in Granard, Ireland, he came to the United States at the invitation of Archbishop Jean-Marie Odin in 1863.[2] Heslin then studied theology and philosophy under the Lazarists at diocesan seminary of New Orleans.[1] Too young to receive ordination, he taught at Jefferson College for several years.[2]
Priesthood
Heslin was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in Mobile, Alabama, by Bishop John Quinlan on September 8, 1869.[3] After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Heslin as a curate at the Cathedral of St. Louis Parish in St. Louis, Missouri, for a month. He was then transferred to St. Vincent de Paul Parish and later to St. Patrick's Parish, both in St. Louis.[2] From 1874 to 1889, he was pastor of St. Michael's Church in New Orleans.[1]
Bishop of Natchez
On March 29, 1889, Heslin was appointed the fifth bishop of Natchez by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on June 18, 1889, from Archbishop Francis Janssens, with Bishops Edward Fitzgerald and Anthony Durier serving as co-consecrators.[3]
Thomas Heslin died in Natchez, Mississippi, on February 22, 1911, at age 65.
