Born in Leominister, Massachusetts on August 3, 1909, he was the son of Thomas McHugh and Mary Gorley. He was educated in the local public schools. After graduation from high school he worked for about five years before he went to Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk, New York in 1932. After novitiate in West Springfield, Massachusetts he professed his vows on August 15, 1935 and received the religious name Berchmans. Studies for priesthood continued at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Jamaica, New York; and Union City, New Jersey. He was ordained on May 30, 1942 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Newark, New Jersey by Archbishop Thomas Walsh. After sacred eloquence at St. Grabriel’s Brighton, Massachusetts Father McHugh began his ministry. He was director of students, associate pastor of St. Gabriel’s, Brighton, and missioner to Black Catholics in New Bern and Greenville, North Carolina. At the latter location he ministered with Father Maurice Tew, C.P. Father McHugh was instrumental in having published a short history on the North Carolina missions entitled Blessed Are They: A Historical Account of Passionist Missions in North Carolina (1924-1964). For many of his last years he lived at Our Mother of Sorrows Retreat, West Springfield.
Birth Date:
August 3, 1909
Profession Date:
August 15, 1935
Ordination Date:
May 30, 1942
Death Date:
December 17, 1989
Religious Name:
Berchmans of the Sorrowful Mother McHugh