Sister Death Welcomes Fr Hugo De Maria OFM Cap (1922-2010)

On the Solemnity of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary, Fr Hugo De Maria OFM Cap passed away unexpectedly during his sleep at Our Lady of Consolation Home, Rooty Hill, NSW.  He went to bed with a slight fever and the nursing staff, during their routine visit, found him dead on Friday morning, 19th March 2010.

Fr Hugo was born in Malta on 2nd April, 1922.  He grew up in a very devoted Catholic family.  He joined the Capuchins at an early age and later inspired two of his brothers to join also, Fr Herculan and Fr Odorico (Lawrence). Fr Hugo made his first profession on 14th September 1938 and was ordained priest on 22nd March 1947.

In Malta, Fr Hugo worked as a formator-lecturer at the Capuchin Seminary where he taught both the Capuchin students and the Diocese seminarians.  As a young priest, he was sent to Africa to be a Military Chaplain in Asmara, Eritrea and later a Parish Priest in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  He also spent a few years in India as a missionary.  In 1969, he migrated to Australia and offered assistance to the Australian Capuchins.

In Australia, Fr Hugo has ministered as parish priest, spiritual director/advisor, confessor and Nursing homes chaplain.  He has worked in our friaries in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.  He was well loved and respected by the friars, clergy and laity at these places.

Fr Hugo spent the last 10 years of his life at St Anthony’s Friary, Hawthorn and then moved to Our Lady of Consolation Home in January 2010 for retirement.  While he was in Melbourne, Fr Hugo has served as confessor, spiritual director/advisor for the English-Italian SFO and Padre Pio’s prayer groups, and catechist for the young people at ‘Faith with the Friars’. 

Among the people, Fr Hugo was known as a great confessor and spiritual advisor.  Among the friars, he was known for his orthodoxy, prudent, intelligent, prayerful, humility and creativity.  He was a friar who always desired to learn; even his old age did not stop him from learning about computers or the internet.  He had a computer with two monitors, which allowed him to do his translation.  He was fluent in Maltese, English, Italian, French, Spanish and Latin.  His hobbies were making models, gadgets and cards for his grandnieces-nephews.  Some of the things he made were: a small electric fan (see photo), and a 1M long model of the town of Bethlehem for Christmas (see photo).  He had a great sense of humour.  If someone calls for him, “Fr Hugo”, his reply would be, “senza sugo”, which means “without taste”.  He was a prayerful friar and had a great devotion to the great St Joseph. 

Fr Hugo’s funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Consolation Home Chapel on Wednesday 24th March and was laid to rest at Rookwood Cemetery.  He will greatly be missed by the friars, his family and the people.  May the Lord grant him eternal rest. 

God bless you Fr Hugo!