Bishop René H. Gracida Dies at 102

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee mourns the passing of our first bishop, Most Rev. René H. Gracida, who died on Friday May 1, 2026 at the age of 102.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 9, 1923, Henry Gracida was the second child of Enrique J. Gracida, a Mexican architect and engineer, and Mathilde Derbes, a fifth-generation French American Cajun. He enlisted as a reservist in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and arrived in the European theater of World War II in January 1945. Over the next three months Gracida flew on 32 missions with the famous Eighth Air Force, first as a tail-gunner, then as a flight engineer, on B-17 aircraft.

After the war, he entered the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree. In 1950, Gracida furthered his studies at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. During this time he visited several Benedictine monasteries and discerned a call to the religious life.

In 1951, Gracida entered the Order of Saint Benedict and became a monk of Saint Vincent
Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Required to choose a religious name, Gracida selected René Goupil after a French Jesuit lay missionary. At Saint Vincent Seminary, he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Gracida was ordained to the priesthood for the Order of Saint Benedict on May 23, 1959. 

In 1961, Gracida was incardinated to the Archdiocese of Miami from the Benedictine Order. After serving as Chancellor for the archdiocese, on December 6, 1971, Gracida was appointed by Pope Paul VI as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami and titular bishop of Masuccaba. Gracida was ordained on January 25, 1972 by Cardinal John Dearden, with Archbishop Coleman Carroll and Bishop Paul Tanner serving as co-consecrators.

In October 1975, Pope Paul VI appointed him as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. The Mass of installation took place at the Pensacola Bay Civic Center on November 6, 1975. Bishop Gracida set about establishing the essential governing structure of the diocese. He became well known for piloting his own aircraft to visit parishes and celebrate Confirmations across the Panhandle. For his entire episcopal career he advocated for life from “womb to tomb” defending the unborn, incarcerated and terminally ill. 

He became a supporter of the nascent cause for the canonization of the Martyrs of La Florida. He oversaw the founding of several parishes during his tenure. Following his seven and a half years leading our diocese, on May 19, 1983 Pope John Paul II appointed Gracida as the bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. He was installed on July 11, 1983.

For health reasons, he was granted retirement by Pope John Paul II on April 1, 1997. Following his retirement as a diocesan ordinary, he took up ranching in Texas while remaining active in the pro-life cause and celebrating the Church’s liturgical life.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Please join our entire Catholic community in prayer for the repose of his soul. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon his face. May the souls of the faithful departed by the mercies of God, rest in peace. ​