Henry Charles Bezou

Background

Bezou, Henry Charles was born on April 28, 1913 in New Orleans. Son of André Ralph and Lydia Marie (Bouligny) Bezou.

Education

Student, St. Aloysius College, 1929. Student, St. Joseph Seminary, St. Benedict, Louisiana, 1932. Student, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, 1938.

A.M., Catholic University America, 1947. Doctor of Letters (honoris causa), Loyola University of South, 1952.

Career

Ordained priest, Roman Catholic Church, 1938; with, Sacred Heart Church, Montegut, Louisiana, 1938-1942; with, St. Charles Church, Lafourche, Louisiana, 1942-1943; head, Normal School, Houma, Louisiana, 1940-1942; archdiocesan superintendent schools, New Orleans, 1943-1968; named Papal Chamberlain with title Very Reverend Monsignor, 1949; domestic prelate with title Rt. Review Monsignor, 1954; director, Catholic Committee S. Summer School, Loyola University pastor, St. Patrick's Church, New Orleans, 1951-1965; pastor, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 1965-1967; pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Metairie, Louisiana, 1967-1983; pastor emeritus, St. Francis Xavier, Metairie, Louisiana, since 1983. Spiritual director Ozanam Inn, 1955-1965.

Member Archdiocesan Central Council, Society St. Vincent de Paul, 1956-1966. Archdiocesan consultant, 1962-1977. Secretary elementary division National Catholic Ednl.

Association; member Governor's Safety Committee (also other state committees). Co-chairman Archdiocesan Bicentennial Commission, 1975. Chairman Jefferson Parish History Commission, 1976-1978.

Member Archdiocesan Building Commission. Co-chairman Jefferson Parish Sesquicentennial Commission, 1974-1975. Chairman Louisiana Catholic Conference ad hoc committee, Acadian Odyssey Bicentennial, 1985.

Member Council Development French in Louisiana, 1981-1985.

Achievements

• Henry Charles Bezou has been listed as a noteworthy clergyman, educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

• book

  • Tent to temple: The story of St. Philip Neri Parish, Metairie, Louisiana : commemorating its silver jubilee, 1920-1965

Membership

Member Mayor's Advisory Committees. Board directors New Orleans Symphony Society, New Orleans Tuberculosis League, Louisiana Society Crippled Children, Community Chest. Board directors United Fund, mem schools committee.

Member advisory committee Juvenile Court. Consultant supts.' division, department education National Catholic Welfare Conference. Member committees State Department Education.

Trustee Greater New Orleans Educational television Foundation. Member White House Conference on Education, 1955. Regional advisory board American Red Cross.

Advisory board Catholic Encyclopedia School and Home. Director Information Council of Americas. Member American Catholic History Association, Foreign Policy Association, National Catholic Education Association (president superintendents department), Jefferson History Society Louisiana (director since 1977), American Society Legion of Honor.

Connections

Father:

André Ralph Bezou

Mother:

Lydia Marie (Bouligny) Bezou