1951 I entered Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania as a postulant.
1952 I entered the Novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey.
1953 I made my profession of simple vows.
1956 I made my solemn profession of vows.
1958 I was ordained a Transitional Deacon.
1959 I was ordained a Priest.
1961 I was dispensed from my vows and became a priest of the Diocese of Miami, Florida.
1963 I was appointed Administrator of Saint Matthew Parish, Hallandale, Florida
1964 I was appointed Administrator of St. Ambrose Parish, Deerfield Beach, Florida.
1966 I was appointed Pastor of Saint Ann Parish, Naples, Florida.
1967 I was appointed Pastor of Nativity Parish, Hollywood, Florida.
1968 I was appointed Rector of Saint Mary Cathedral, Miami, Florida.
1969 I was appointed Chancellor or the Archdiocese of Miami.
1970 I was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Miami.
1971 I was appointed by Pope Paul VI Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, consecrated on January 25, 1972.
1975 I was appointed by Pope Paul VI the First Bishop of the New Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida.
1983 I was appointed by Pope John Paul II the Fifth Bishop of Corpus Christi in Texas.
1997 I retired and became Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi.
1983
ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT / DEEP CALLS TO DEEP 
Thank you, and be assured that I will pray for you and your family!
+Rene Henry Gracida
Your Excellency, I was introduced to you by Rex Moses when I was living in Boulder, CO and you were Bishop of Corpus Christi. Your priesthood reminds me of the priesthoods of my 3 uncles. All served in the Crookston Diocese in Minnesota. Rev. Timothy Noah and Rev. Daniel Noah served for a combined 120+years as priests. Fr. Patrick Kelly died at an early age. God found it fruitful to elevate you as a Bishop in His church and I think you represent what each Bishop should emulate. I did not find my vocation as a priest but as a married man and father of six sons and one daughter. Like you, 3 of my sons have started a military career. Time will tell about about the 3 other sons and my daughter. Thankfully, our diocese was home to many good Bishops, including our present, John Folda. Please keep me and my family in your prayers. I will, for you.
I am so grateful to connect to your website, Your Excellency. I first heard you speak on the Church Militant website. I am learning much from reading the posting s here.Many thanks for your courage and wisdom in expressing the truth of Christ’s teaching. The Church is being attacked from within, but always, we need faith and hope that Christ will triumph. Thanks for all you do and prayers for your health and good spirits!
Mary A. Whitley (Seattle)
Then you may know how great are the messages our Queen and Mother gave to Ida Peerdeman (Our Lady of all Nations), to Mary Ephrem (Our Lady of America) and nowadays in Medjugorje to everybody all throughout the Earth (Our Lady of Međugorje).
I am an Spanish man from Canary Islands and my English language is not so advanced as I would like for me to bow at Her Feet on Internet. But maybe you could do something better, to shake a little bit more your american people to glimpse aside. Perhaps they were a lucky guys and gaze Our Lady beside them.
http://mariawojtila.blogspot.com.es/2012/07/she-is-lady.html
Thanks for your blog. Cheers!