DECEMBER 24
On this day, 1972, Fr, Cuthbert Hughes, a founding member of our community, died. He was born in New York City on August 214, 1911. He professed vows as a Benedictine at St. Meinrad Archabbey on August 6, 1938 arid 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, arid 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 occured in 1970 when he had to abandon plans 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.