On January 24, 2005, after 81 years of living in this world yet not being of it, Msgr. John Francis Huhmann passed quietly and peacefully into eternal life; he had battled lung cancer for nearly two years. One of the founding members of the Thomas Aquinas College Legacy Society, he left a generous bequest to the College for the construction of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.
Despite his humble farm-boy roots in Missouri, John Francis rose to become a priest of God, a pastor, a monsignor, and something of a financial wiz. But even in his later years, Msgr. Huhmann remained close to his roots, often helping friends on their farms during the harvest season.
At the age of only 15, he began studies for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio, the only pontifical seminary in the Western Hemisphere. He did well and was ordained in 1950. His classmate and longtime friend Fr. Al Krzyzopolski says wryly, “If we had known at the time that he had been such a mischievous boy that his pastor refused to give him a letter of recommendation, we would not have been so nice to him.”
After his ordination, Msgr. Huhmann went on to study canon law, obtaining a doctorate from the University of St. Thomas in Rome. He also earned a pilot’s license and became certified as a private investment counselor.
As a priest, he served in seven parishes in the Diocese of Kansas City, one of which he built from scratch. “I was appointed pastor of 12 acres of weeds to be built into St. Thomas More Parish,” as he put it. As a financial consultant, he not only managed a number of substantial private portfolios, he also served for five years as treasurer at his alma mater, the Josephinum, growing the endowment from $8 million to $22 million.
Though Msgr. Huhmann developed an excellent reputation as a financial consultant, he nevertheless lived the spirit of poverty through his vocation. While he was known for playing golf at upscale clubs with his clients, much to their chagrin, he insisted on bringing his own second-hand clubs no matter how posh the venue.
This characteristic, however, did not keep those around him from loving him. In fact, as Fr. Al, who presided over Msgr. Huhmann’s funeral Mass, said, “The most significant mark of his life was the way he touched the hearts and minds of people. I never met any one who had more devoted followers.”
And so, when Msgr. Huhmann became ill, he was deluged with calls, cards, letters, and visitors who brought him loving care and gifts. “He had a vast support system of friends who were faithful to the end,” recalled Fr. Al.
The Caughron family of Kansas City became particularly close to Msgr. Huhmann. It was through him that they learned of Thomas Aquinas College. Alietia Caughron (’92) once recalled the story Msgr. Huhmann told her from the time he spent working as a hospital chaplain. A four-year-old boy who was dying asked to receive Holy Communion, and Msgr. asked the child why he wanted to receive Our Lord. As Msgr. Huhmann would tell the story, “The child gave an answer that no theologian could ever equal: he said, ‘because Jesus loves me.’” When Monsignor asked him if he had been baptized, the child said yes. So Monsignor gave him Communion, and the child died within the hour.
Monsignor. would often cry when telling this story, saying through his tears, “To this day, I still pray to him.” Alietia was also deeply touched. “While he faced his own death,” she says, “he prayed to this little four-year-old boy to whom he had given Holy Communion.”
Toward the end of his life, Monsignor’s devotion to the Holy Eucharist deepened. During his last year, he became so overwhelmed with emotion at the time of the consecration, keenly aware that he was holding our blessed Lord in his hands, that he could no longer offer Mass when he was alone.
Monsignor also became ever more devoted to Our Lady, finding special consolation in her Memorare. Molly Caughron (’05) explains the impact his devotion had on her: “He emphasized the spiritual motherhood of Mary, not just as the mother of God, but as the mother of each one of us. He helped me realize how important that is.” When preparing to choose a topic for her senior thesis at the College, Molly investigated and researched a number of questions. She settled, however, on “The Spiritual Motherhood of Mary” and dedicated it to the memory of Msgr. Huhmann.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May he rest in peace.
To learn more about the Legacy Society, please e-mail Mr. Susanka tsusanka@thomasaquinas.eduor call him at 800-634-9797.