José was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico in a Catholic family of four children. The support and love of his mother Estéfana and his father Rodolfo and Ant Gracia has made José the person who he is. Since an early age his parents taught him and his sisters about the Catholic faith and lead him by their example. Since he was a teenager, Jose has become close friend of a group of Catholic Priest Missionaries (Misioneros de Cristo para la Iglesia Universal) who run a catholic seminary a few houses down from José's home in Mexico. Fr. Arthuro, Fr. Javier, Fr. Alfredo and Fr. Luis Gerardo played an important role in José's spiritual direction. José was involved in several apostolates and ministries in his hometown.

He did his undergraduate work in Social Sciences, and graduated from Law School from the Universidad Autónoma of Nuevo Leon. While studying law, José worked for Civil Courts and Superior Justice Tribunals, assisting lawyers and co-operating with members of the House of Commons in Mexico in the reform of laws. He enjoyed working as a licensed Lawyer in Monterrey for 3 years in the fields of Criminal Law and Taxation Law for the Federal Government in Mexico.

Receiving the blessing of his family, friends and co-workers, José decided to immigrate to Toronto in July 2004, and pursued a post-graduate program in Business Management in Toronto. During his studies, he served as a Student Campus Minister at the Newman Centre. After completed his studies in Business Management, he worked as a Fitness Centre Manager in downtown Toronto.

Working at the Newman Centre as the Facilities and Events Manager, José thinks that he has the most important job in the world. He says that God could not give a better job than what he has. For José, living and working in a holy place like the church is the most rewarding way to obtain spiritual graces. José loves the Newman community, which he considers as his Toronto family. José is known in the community as José O'Dea, one of the members of the "Family O'Dea", the name he gave to his campus ministry team with Fr. Pat as their spiritual father.