In 1885, O'Connell was appointed rector of the North American College a position he held until 1895. In 1887, he was given the papal honor of domestic prelate with the title of monsignor.“Most Rev. Denis Joseph O'Connell, D. D.” The Catholic Historical Review, vol. 13, no. 1, 1927, pp. 100–104. JSTORUpon his return to Richmond, O'Connell was assigned to St. Peter's Parish. From 1903 to 1909, he served as the third rector of The Catholic University of America.
