R.I.P. + Father Augustine (John) Hinches OSB

Early this morning, Sunday, May 25, 2014,

our beloved confrere and second abbot of St. Paul’s Abbey,

Father Augustine (John) Hinches OSB,

quietly entered into the eternal life and love of the Father at St. Catherine of Siena Health Care Center, Caldwell, New Jersey, at the age of 84 having lived with Parkinson’s for nearly 25 years.

Father Augustine was born on February 17, 1930, in Orange, New Jersey and grew up in Newark. He made his first profession on August 15, 1950 and his solemn profession on August 15, 1953. He was ordained 4 June 1955. In December 1966 he was appointed prior administrator of St. Paul’s Abbey and then on  September 3, 1970 elected as the second abbot. After over 15 years as superior, he resigned on March 1, 1982.

Father Augustine served the community as business manager for seven years prior to becoming superior. He was well-known for his management of the Abbey Christmas Tree Farm.  His service to the Congregation included translating the present Constitutions into English for the first time and articles for Lumen Caecis.

We will celebrate the Funeral Mass for Father Augustine on Friday, May 30, 2014, at 10:30 a.m here at the abbey followed by burial in the abbey Christ the King Cemetery.

Kindly remember this faithful servant in your prayers.

And may God grant him eternal rest.

Abbot Joel and the monks at St. Paul’s Abbey

May 25, 2014

The Sixth Sunday of Easter