Fr. Arthur Hoskins Huggins celebrates 50 Years in Ministry

Having been ordained to the Priesthood on 27th July 1958, Fr. Arthur Hoskins Huggins celebrates his Golden Anniversary this Sunday, July 27th, at 4.00 pm, with a Mass of thanksgiving to God for his many years of Service.{{more}}

The Service will be held at St. Paul’s Church, Calliaqua, which was responsible for his nurturing and formation. Fr. Huggins will be the celebrant, while Fr. Leopold Baynes will be the Preacher.

Arthur Hoskins Huggins was born to parents William and Annie Huggins on the 9th January 1928. He was the third child. His other siblings were Hobbs and Douglas, now deceased, and Marie and Suttcliffe, both of whom are living at Golden Vale.

He noted that there was never a time in his life when he did not feel that God was not calling him to the Priesthood, and remembers that as a boy he would celebrate Communion with his sister with water and bread, and preach from a chair.

Hoskins began his academic pursuits at the Brighton Methodist School and later attended the St. Vincent Grammar School, during which time he was known to have organised services at St. Paul’s in the absence of the Priest. He was also a Sunday School teacher and was involved in all aspects of church life, including fund-raising.

Hoskins worked for some time at the Government Treasury, but he was determined to enter Codington College. He later entered Codrington College with his Patron Philanthropist Lewis Punnet contributing half of his fees for College.

Fr. Huggins was ordained at the St. George’s Cathedral, Kingstown, and was over-joyed to administer Holy Communion to his mother as his first sacramental act.

His first posting was at St. George’s in Grenada, to where he served his Curacy under Archdeacon H. G. Pigott.

Fr. Huggins married Patricia Anne Richards thirty six years ago and that union produced three children and three grandchildren, all of whom are living in the United States.

Fr. Huggins served in St. George’s Cathedral, Holy Trinity, Georgetown, St. Vincent, Holy Trinity in Castries, St. Lucia, St. Andrew’s, Grenada, St. George’s in Tortola, and St. Paul’s in St. Croix. He served as the first Dean of St. George’s Cathedral and was Archdeacon of Grenada.

It was during his tenure as Archdeacon of Grenada that the Grenada Revolution took place and the intervention of the US and the killing of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and other Ministers of the Revolutionary Government took place. Archdeacon Huggins played a major reconciling role, along with Bishop Charles of the Roman Catholic Church, as they sought to bring comfort to the Grenadian people.

Fr. Huggins retired at the age of 72. His last official posting was at the St. Paul’s Church in St. Croix. At age 80, Fr. Huggins continues to assist in the Parish of St. Paul’s, Calliaqua.

Fr. Huggins has left a legacy for many to follow. He saw and understood his ministry, not as a status, but as a servant to humanity, and wherever he was called to serve, saw his role as that of expending himself in loving care and concern for others. His influence and encouragement have resulted in a number of young men becoming Priests .

We wish him continued good health and best wishes as he continues to labour on in God’s vineyard.