View source for Louis LaRavoire Morrow


{{Short description|Roman Catholic bishop in India}}

{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = [[Bishop]]
| honorific-prefix = The Most Reverend
| name = Louis LaRavoire Morrow
| honorific-suffix = S.D.B.
| birth_date = 24 December 1892
| birth_place = [[Weatherford, Texas|Weatherford]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]
| death_date = 31 August 1987
| death_place = [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| nationality = [[Americans|American]]
| religion = [[Roman Catholic]]
| ordination = 21 May 1921 (priest)
| consecration = 29 October 1939 (bishop)
| title = Bishop Emeritus of [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnangar]]
| other_post = Founder, Sisters of Mary Immaculate; catechetical author
}}

'''Louis LaRavoire Morrow, S.D.B.''' (24 December 1892 – 31 August 1987) was an American-born Roman Catholic bishop, Salesian of Don Bosco, missionary, and author. He served as Bishop of Krishnangar (West Bengal, India) from 1939 to 1969; founded the Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation; and wrote several catechetical works that were widely used in Catholic schools.<ref name="CH">{{cite web |title=Bishop Louis La Ravoire Morrow, S.D.B. ‡ |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmorrow.html |website=Catholic-Hierarchy |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="SMIHistory">{{cite web |title=History - Sisters of Mary Immaculate |url=https://www.smiofbpmorrow.org/history.html |website=Sisters of Mary Immaculate Mother House, Krishnagar |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Morrow was born on 24 December 1892 in Weatherford, Texas. His family later moved to Mexico, where he completed his education. He joined the Salesians of Don Bosco and was ordained a priest on 21 May 1921.<ref name="OMHDetail">{{cite web |title=About OMH – Our Mission House |url=https://www.omhsmi.org/Home/AboutSMI |website=OMH SMI |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

== Episcopal ministry ==
On 29 October 1939 Morrow was consecrated bishop and took charge of the Diocese of Krishnangar. He spent thirty years leading the diocese, focusing on building schools, churches, and charitable institutions.  
In 1948 he founded the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI), a congregation dedicated to education, health care, and social work.<ref name="SMIHistory0">{{cite web |title=Who We Are – Sisters of Mary Immaculate Bangalore Province |url=https://smibangalore.org/about |website=SMI Bangalore Province |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref> The novitiate opened in 1950, and the first professions were made in 1952.<ref name="FirstHabit">{{cite web |title=History of the Institute – First Habit & Professions |url=https://www.smiofbpmorrow.org/history.html |website=SMIOFBPMorrow |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref> In 1965 he inaugurated the new motherhouse and chapel of the congregation in Krishnangar.<ref name="MinMhg">{{cite web |title=SMI Mother House history |url=https://www.smiofbpmorrow.org/min-mhg.html |website=SMIOFBPMorrow |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

== Institutions and schools ==
Morrow encouraged education and helped establish several schools and parishes in the diocese.

* In January 1959, he supported the foundation of [[:en:Bishop Morrow School|Bishop Morrow School]], which later became affiliated with the ICSE and ISC boards.<ref name="BMSchool">{{cite web |title=Bishop Morrow School |url=https://bmskrishnagar.in/ |website=Bishop Morrow School |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

* In 1973, inspired by his legacy, the Sisters of Mary Immaculate founded [[:en:Chapra Mary Immaculate High School|Chapra Mary Immaculate High School (H.S.)]], which continues to serve the community today.<ref name="ChapraHS">{{cite web |title=CHAPRA MARY IMMACULATE HIGH SCHOOL (H.S.) History |url=https://school.banglarshiksha.gov.in/ws/website/history/19100507802 |website=Banglar Shiksha |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

He also promoted the building and renovation of parish churches, including the cathedral in Krishnangar.

== Later life and death ==
Morrow resigned as Bishop of Krishnangar in 1969 and retired from active ministry. He continued to revise his catechetical writings and remained close to the SMI community. He died on 31 August 1987.<ref name="OMHDetail"/>

== Selected works ==
Morrow is best remembered for his catechetical books, many of which were used in schools and parishes for decades.  
* ''My Catholic Faith'' (later revised as ''Our Catholic Faith''), a catechism for adults and youth.<ref name="OMHDetail"/>  
* ''My Bible History'', a simplified Old Testament history for students.<ref name="MyBibleHistory">{{cite web |title=My Bible History: Old Testament by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow |url=https://www.stclareaudio.com/st_clare_audio_box/shop/catholic-audiobooks/catholic-childrens/my-bible-history-old-testament-by-bishop-louis-laRavoire-morrow/ |website=St Clare Audio |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:1892 births]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic missionaries]]
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:Salesian Order]]
[[Category:Founders of Catholic religious communities]]
[[Category:People from Weatherford, Texas]]
{{improve categories|date=November 2025}}