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was born in Ireland in 1797, Catholics living there under Protestant rule suffered from extreme poverty and oppression. John Hughes was forced to leave school at a young age to work on the family farm, planting and harvesting potatoes and oats. Difficult times became even worse when Hughes’ younger sister died and the family priest was prohibited by law from entering the cemetery during her funeral(“ Most Rev. John J. Hughes, DD”). After his sister was denied a Catholic burial, Hughes’ family left for America in 1817 to escape religious persecution. The family settled in Pennsylvania, and Hughes went to work as a gardener and stonemason at Mount St. Mary’ s College in Maryland. Hughes wanted to be a priest so he asked the head of the seminary John Dubois if he could enroll, but Dubois rejected him because he was unable to see past Hughes’ lack of a formal education.(“ Archbishop John Hughes: The Founder of Fordham University”). So, from an early age, Hughes understood how a lack of religious, economic, and social opportunities could negatively impact one’ s life. Still, he was determined not to let these challenges keep him down.
Hughes’ hardworking nature, demonstrated through many acts of resilience and determination, allowed him to change the course of his life and history. For example, even though he was rejected from the seminary at St. Mary’ s College, Hughes applied again multiple times. Simultaneously, he continued to work hard at his gardening job and was eventually recognized by Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity, for his effort. Seton was so impressed by Hughes that she persuaded Dubois to admit him to the seminary, and Hughes was ordained a priest in 1826(“ Archbishop John Hughes”). Hughes was lucky that Seton advocated for him, but it was his own hard work and commitment to his dream that got him noticed in
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