Thomas Daniel Beaven

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Thomas Daniel Beaven (March 1, 1851 – October 5, 1920) was the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts (1892–1920).

Beaven was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and received his early education there. After graduating from Holy Cross College at Worcester in 1870, he taught mathematics at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland for a year before studying theology at the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Quebec, Canada.[1] Beaven was ordained to the priesthood on December 18, 1875.[2] He then served as curate in Spencer until 1879, when he became its pastor. In 1888 he was made pastor of Holy Rosary Church at Holyoke.[1]

On August 9, 1892, Beaven was appointed Bishop of Springfield by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following October 18 from Archbishop John Joseph Williams, with Bishops Denis Mary Bradley and John Stephen Michaud serving as co-consecrators, at St. Michael's Cathedral.[2] A humble individual, Beaven preferred the trolley to a private carriage to get around Springfield.

In addition to French and Irish parishes, churches were established for Polish, Italian, Lithuanian, Slovakian and Maronite Rite Catholics.[3] During his tenure, he opened Beaven-Kelly Home for aged men; an infants' home; hospitals in Worcester, Springfield, Montague, and Adams; orphanages at Holyoke, Worcester, and Leicester; a House of the Good Shepherd at Springfield; and homes for working girls in many places.[1]

Beaven died at age 69 and was buried in St. Augustine’s Chapel at St. Michael’s Cathedral.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Springfield". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ a b "Bishop Thomas Daniel Beaven". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. ^ a b c Kiltonic, Stephen. "History of the Diocese", Part 2, 150th Anniversary Celebration
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts
1892–1920 		Succeeded by
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