On December 24, 1972, Father Cuthbert Hughes, a founding member of our community, died. He was born in New York City on August 24, 1911. He professed vows as a Benedictine at St Meinrad Archabbey on August 6, 1938 and was ordained there on June 5, 1943. Most of his priestly life was spent on the Indian Missions, first at Marty, South Dakota, and later at St Michael's Mission, St Michael, North Dakota. At the time of his death he was working among the Chippewa people at St Ann's Mission, Belcourt, North Dakota where he had been assigned in 1968. During a period from 1964 until his return to the mission field, he taught Benedictine history to the novices here at the abbey, directed our secular oblates, and for a time ministered to St Mary's Parish, Wilmot, South Dakota.

Fr Cuthbert was a gentle, happy man who preached fine homilies. He had a subtle wit and friendly ways, and was known for his warm greeting of "Pax!" He had a genuine interest in Benedictine life within his own monastery and everywhere. He bore a great love for the land of his Irish ancestors. A great disappointment in his life occurred in 1970 when he had to abandon for a pilgrimage to "The Isle of Saints."

Fr Cuthbert suffered a massive heart attack while spending Thanksgiving with his confreres at Blue Cloud. Two days previous to death he returned from the hospital  with joy and gratitude that he would be able to celebrate Christmas at the Abbey. His Lord and Savior came for him on Christmas Eve.