Vocation Office

> Home > Called and Chosen > Come and See > The Seminary > The Priest > Meet our Seminarians > Frequently Asked Questions > Prayers > Meet the Vocation Director > Contact > Links	Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi "I feel certain that each one of us could share stories of how priests have been important in our lives. Their ministry of word, worship, and service makes the love of God visible in our midst. Their ministry is the instrument through which God often nourishes, strengthens, and guides us. They proclaim and explain the word of God at Mass, they celebrate the Eucharist, they enable parish life, and call forth and are part of our care for neighbor. They are with us in the happiness of baptisms and weddings, the healing of sacramental forgiveness and anointing of the sick, the hope and sadness of funerals, and the joys and challenges which are the part of the daily life of believers. Please pray for more priests. Prayer is powerful. The Lord told us to "Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest. (Matthew 9:38) God will hear and answer our prayers. Please encourage vocations. I firmly believe God is calling men to priesthood. We can encourage men to hear this call. Sometimes a word of support can hearten a man and give him the confi dence to answer the call of God." - Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi Bio Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, a native of New Orleans, graduated from De La Salle High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1971. He returned to New Orleans where he earned a law degree from the Tulane University Law School in 1974, and then entered Notre Dame Seminary, where he received a master of divinity degree in 1978. Bishop Rodi was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1978, and served as associate pastor at St. Ann and St. Christopher the Martyr parishes, in Metairie, and at St. Agnes in Jefferson. In 1983 he was appointed judge for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Metropolitan Tribunal. He earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1986, and served as professor of canon law at Notre Dame Seminary from 1986 to 1995. Bishop Rodi served in New Orleans as director of the Office of Religious Education from 1988 to 1989, and as executive director of the Department of Pastoral Services from 1989 to 1996. In addition to his other duties, Bishop Rodi was Chancellor for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1992, and in 1996, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. In 1992, he was named a prelate of honor (a monsignor) by Pope John Paul II. He was ordained a bishop and installed as Bishop of Biloxi on July 2, 2001. Archbishop Rodi was appointed Archbishop of Mobile on April 2nd 2008.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi

"I feel certain that each one of us could share stories of how priests have been important in our lives. Their ministry of word, worship, and service makes the love of God visible in our midst. Their ministry is the instrument through which God often nourishes, strengthens, and guides us. They proclaim and explain the word of God at Mass, they celebrate the Eucharist, they enable parish life, and call forth and are part of our care for neighbor. They are with us in the happiness of baptisms and weddings, the healing of sacramental forgiveness and anointing of the sick, the hope and sadness of funerals, and the joys and challenges which are the part of the daily life of believers. Please pray for more priests. Prayer is powerful. The Lord told us to "Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest. (Matthew 9:38) God will hear and answer our prayers. Please encourage vocations. I firmly believe God is calling men to priesthood. We can encourage men to hear this call. Sometimes a word of support can hearten a man and give him the confi dence to answer the call of God." - Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi

Bio

Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, a native of New Orleans, graduated from De La Salle High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1971. He returned to New Orleans where he earned a law degree from the Tulane University Law School in 1974, and then entered Notre Dame Seminary, where he received a master of divinity degree in 1978.

Bishop Rodi was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1978, and served as associate pastor at St. Ann and St. Christopher the Martyr parishes, in Metairie, and at St. Agnes in Jefferson.

In 1983 he was appointed judge for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Metropolitan Tribunal. He earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1986, and served as professor of canon law at Notre Dame Seminary from 1986 to 1995.

Bishop Rodi served in New Orleans as director of the Office of Religious Education from 1988 to 1989, and as executive director of the Department of Pastoral Services from 1989 to 1996.

In addition to his other duties, Bishop Rodi was Chancellor for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1992, and in 1996, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

In 1992, he was named a prelate of honor (a monsignor) by Pope John Paul II.

He was ordained a bishop and installed as Bishop of Biloxi on July 2, 2001. Archbishop Rodi was appointed Archbishop of Mobile on April 2nd 2008.