Father Martin (Richard) Lugo, O.S.B., monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey, entered eternal life on July 13, 2026. He was 91 years old, had completed 69 years of monastic vows and 64 years of priestly ministry.
Father Martin was born on Jan. 24, 1935, in Los Angeles, CA, to Antonio and Alicia (Sanabia) Lugo. He was raised in East Los Angeles at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, staffed by monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, OK. He came as a senior to St. Gregory’s High School in Shawnee, graduating in 1954. He entered the novitiate at St. Gregory’s Abbey in 1955 and professed vows as a monk on Aug. 15, 1956. He later completed an Associate of Arts degree at St. Gregory’s College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS. He pursued theological studies at St. Gregory’s Abbey and was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1962.
He served as chaplain at St. Gregory’s College from 1971 to 1973. In 1980 he was elected as president of the Eastside Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Fr. Martin held several positions of leadership at St. Gregory’s Abbey, including as Prior, Novice Master and several terms on the Abbey Senior Council. He was appointed Prior Administrator of St. Gregory’s Abbey in 1995, and elected as the 9th Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey in 1997. He remained in the role until 2006. After retiring as Abbot, he remained active at the monastery, often accepting assignments to weekend parish supply ministry, providing spiritual direction for many and serving as an on-call confessor at the monastery.
Fr. Martin was predeceased by his parents; stepfather Abundio Muños; brother Antonio and sister-in-law Celia Barajas-Lugo.
He is survived by the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, nephews Richard and Raymond Lugo and nieces Linda Cardona and Angelica Rice.
Visitation is available July 16, 9:30 – 4:30, and July 17, 8:30 – 10 am. Vigil for the deceased will be in the Abbey Church at 7 pm on July 16. Mass of Christian Burial will be in the Abbey Church at 10:30 am on July 17, with interment following in the Abbey Cemetery. Services are open to the public.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Fr. Martin can be made to The St. Gregory’s Abbey Benefit Trust, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK 74804, or online at www.monksok.org.
