Donald J. Higgins, C.S.S.

The Reverend Donald Joseph Higgins, C.S.S.

Stigmatine

The Reverend Donald J. Higgins, C.S.S., 84, died May 18, 2019, in Wellesley, Massachusetts in the 62nd year of his religious life and the 55th year of his priesthood. He had been lovingly cared for at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Residence.

Father Higgins was born in Boston on February 18, 1935, the son of the late Joseph F. and Margaret (Wilson) Higgins and attended public schools until entering the Stigmatine Minor Seminary in 1949, then located in Waltham. Father Higgins would make his first religious profession as a member of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers on June 22, 1956. He attended Catholic University in Washington D.C. where he studied philosophy and theology and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree. Father Higgins was ordained in Springfield, Massachusetts by the Most Reverend Christopher Weldon on June 8, 1964.

Father Higgins had various pastoral assignments in both the United States and Canada. Among them were as a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish, Milford, MA; Saint Ann's Parish, West Springfield, MA; All Saints Parish, Manassas, VA; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, White Plains, NY; Sacred Heart Parish, Waltham, MA; and Sacred Heart Parish, Timmins, Ontario. From 1965-1968 he served the Stigmatine Community as Vocation Director.

Father Higgins had a deep and abiding devotion to our Blessed Mother. It was this spirituality that led him to devote himself as a spiritual director and confessor for many years. This also led him to further theological studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome and from there to spend the final 30 years of his priesthood preaching retreats and parish missions. Only physical disability prevented him continuing in active ministry the last three years.

Father Higgins is survived by his brothers Joseph G. Higgins of St. George, UT, Robert E. Higgins of Elizabeth, CO, and Michael J. Cuozzo of Indian Orchard, MA; his sisters Mrs. Carol A. Toupence of Enfield CT, Mrs. Margaret Boudreau of Heath, MA, and Linda Amrhein of Plymouth, MA. Father Don also leaves several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial for Father Higgins will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 5 East Main Street, Milford, MA on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. A calling hour will precede the Funeral Mass from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Following Mass Father Higgins will be interred at the Stigmatine plot, which is part of Sacred Heart Cemetery, Medway Road (Rte. 109), Milford, MA.