sentences:  He went through his course of philosophy and theology at the Abbey of Jovillier, near Bar-le-Duc in Lorraine, and afterwards at the University of Bourges, where he graduated as Doctor of Theology in 1690 or 1691.Having taught theology in the Abbey of Jandeures, and later in that of Étival in Lorraine, he was named prior of St. Joseph's at Nancy in 1700, where he remained until 1713, although in 1708 he had been elected coadjutor of the Abbey of Flabémont, then held in commendam by Nicholas Brisacier, doctor of the Sorbonne, a secular priest.On 12 August 1710, Hugo was chosen coadjutor to Siméon Godin, Abbot of Étival (Stivagium), and the choice having been ratified by pope Clement XI, he was installed with the title of Abbot of Fontaine-André, a suppressed Norbertine abbey in Switzerland, by the Prince-Bishop of Basle on 23 July 1712.