Saint Hubert of Liège

Biography

Saint Hubert of Liège, also known as the Apostle of the Ardennes, Hubert the Hunter, Hubertus, and Uberto, was born around 656 in Maastricht, Netherlands. He was the grandson of Charibert, King of Toulouse, and the eldest son of Bertrand, Duke of Aquitaine. In his youth, Hubert led a worldly and dissolute life as a layman courtier at Nuestria in northwest France. However, due to political reasons, he emigrated to Austrasia, a border area between modern France and Germany. In 682, Hubert married Floribanne, the daughter of Dagobert, Count of Louvain, and they had one son, Saint Floribert of Liège. Hubert was known for his passionate devotion to hunting, and it was during one of his hunting expeditions on a Good Friday morning that he had a profound conversion experience. While chasing a stag, he saw a vision of a crucifix between the animal's antlers, coupled with a warning voice saying, "Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord, and lead a holy life, you shall quickly go down to hell." This vision had a profound impact on Hubert, prompting him to renounce his worldly positions, titles, and wealth after the death of his wife. He entrusted the care of his son and his patrimony to his brother and devoted himself to studying for the priesthood. After his ordination, he became a spiritual student of Saint Lambert of Maastricht and served as his assistant. During this time, Hubert undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, where he was when Saint Lambert was tragically murdered. In honor of his mentor, Hubert moved Lambert's body from Maastricht to Liege and built a church on the site of his martyrdom. Hubert was eventually chosen as the first bishop of Liege. As bishop, Hubert was known for his excellent preaching and his generosity to the poor. He stripped the diocese of all excesses in order to assist those in need. He also evangelized the Ardennes region, converting pagans and strengthening the faith of Christians. While he tracked down some of the old idolatrous places of worship, Hubert generally allowed the new converts to decide for themselves whether to destroy the old idols, and they willingly did so. Saint Hubert had the ability to predict the date of his own death, and he passed away on 30 May 727 in Fura, Brabant, Belgium. It is said that he died while reciting the Our Father. His remains were interred at Saint Peter's collegiate church in Liege, Belgium. In 825, his relics were translated to the abbey, which has since been renamed Saint Hubert's. Throughout the Middle Ages, Saint Hubert became highly revered, and several military orders were named in his honor. Due to his association with hunting, he became the patron saint of furriers and trappers. He is also invoked against rabies and bad behavior in dogs, particularly hunting dogs. In fact, the breed commonly known as bloodhounds is also referred to as Saint Hubert's hounds. Saint Hubert is often depicted in various representations, including a bishop celebrating Mass with an angel bringing him a scroll, a bishop with a hound and hunting horn, a bishop with a stag featuring a crucifix, a huntsman adoring a stag with a crucifix in its antlers, and a kneeling figure in prayer with a hound and hunting gear nearby. Additionally, he is sometimes portrayed as a knight with a banner depicting a stag's head and a crucifix. Recognized as a saint before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Saint Hubert of Liège is regarded as a pre-Congregation saint. His feast days are celebrated on 3 November and 30 May (the translation of his relics). Today, he is venerated as the patron saint against dog bites, hydrophobia, mad dogs, archers, dogs, forest workers, furriers, hunters, hunting or huntsmen, machinists, mathematicians, metal workers, opticians, precision instrument makers, trappers, and various individuals and professions in Belgium, including Liege, Saint-Hubert, Sint-Huibrechts-Lille, Tilleur, and Cacciatori in Italy.