St. Hubert of Liege

St. Hubert of Liege Biography

St. Hubert of Liege, also known as Hubert of Maastricht, was a 7th century bishop and missionary who is venerated as the patron saint of hunting, foresters, and hunters. He was born in Toulouse, France, in the 7th century, into a noble family and was raised in a deeply Christian household. He was well-educated and received a formal education, and later he became a courtier at the Merovingian court.

As a young man, Hubert was an avid hunter and spent much of his time in the forest pursuing game. However, one Good Friday, while hunting in the Ardennes forest, he had a profound spiritual experience in which he saw a vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers. This vision is said to have inspired him to give up his worldly pursuits and dedicate himself to the service of God.

After this experience, Hubert left court and entered the Church. He became a monk at the Abbey of Saint-Denis and was later ordained a priest. He then traveled to the Ardennes region, where he preached the gospel and converted many people to Christianity. He also built a church and a monastery in the area.

In 708, Hubert was appointed as the Bishop of Liege. As bishop, Hubert continued his missionary work and he is credited with having converted many people to Christianity. He also established several monasteries and churches in the region, and he was known for his holiness and his devotion to the care of the poor.

Hubert is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime, and after his death, his cult quickly spread throughout Europe. His tomb became a site of pilgrimage and many people came to pray at his tomb and ask for his intercession. He was officially canonized by Pope Sergius II in 822, and his feast day is celebrated on November 3rd.

St. Hubert’s legacy is associated with the hunt, due to the visions he had of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, this became the symbol of St Hubert which is known as St Hubert’s key. Hubert is considered as the patron saint of hunting, foresters, and hunters and his intercession is sought for protection while hunting, as well as for protection of wild animals and the forests.

His devotion is also seen among the riders and equestrian sports enthusiasts. Hubert’s cult has been celebrated in many European countries, particularly in Belgium, France and Germany. Many churches, chapels and altars dedicated to St. Hubert can be found in the Ardennes, especially in the towns of Maastricht and Liege.

In the centuries following his death, St. Hubert’s devotion has spread to other countries as well, and today, he is honored and venerated by Catholics around the world, as a powerful intercessor and as a protector of the hunting community and the wilderness.

The Life of St. Hubert of Liege

St. Hubert, the eldest son of Bertrand, Duke of Aquitaine, and grandson of Charibert, King of Toulouse, was born about 656. As a youth Hubert went to the Court of Neustria. His charming manners won universal esteem, and he was given a prominent position among the courtiers, which led to the dignity of “Count of the Palace”.

St. Hubert Patron Saint of Hunters

He was a lover of pleasure, his chief passion being the chase. After marrying the daughter of the Count of Louvain, he gave himself up entirely to the pomp and vanities of the world. One Good Friday morning, when the faithful were crowding the churches, Hubert went hunting. While pursuing a beautiful stag, the animal turned, and, according to the legend, he was astonished to see a crucifix between the antlers, while he heard a voice saying: “Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord, and leadest a holy life, thou shalt go down into hell“. St. Hubert dismounted, prostrated himself, and said: “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do?” He received the answer, “Go and seek Lambert, and he will instruct you“.

Immediately St. Hubert set out for Maestricht, of which place St. Lambert was Bishop. Hubert was received kindly, and St. Lambert became his spiritual director. Shortly afterwards Hubert’s wife died. He then renounced all his honors and military rank, and gave up his birthright to the Duchy of Aquitaine to his younger brother, whom he made guardian of his infant son, Floribert.

After distributing his personal wealth among the poor, Hubert entered upon his studies for the priesthood, and was soon ordained. He became one of St. Lambert’s chief associates in the administration of his Diocese. Upon the advice of St. Lambert, Hubert made a pilgrimage to Rome. During his absence, St. Lambert was assassinated by the followers of Pepin. At the same hour this was revealed to the Pope in a vision, with the command to appoint Hubert to the bishopric.

With incredible zeal he penetrated into the most remote and barbarous places of Ardenne, and extirpated the remnants of idolatry. People flocked from distant places to hear him preach the word of God, as he spoke with such great unction and sweetness. He translated St. Lambert’s relics and See to Liege in 727. Hence St. Lambert is honored at Liege as principal patron, and St. Hubert as founder of the city and church, and its first Bishop. After a short illness St. Hubert died on May 30, 727. In 835 his remains were translated to the Abbey called after him in the Ardennes. St. Hubert is venerated as Patron Saint of hunters

Prayers to St. Hubert of Liege

Prayers to St. Hubert for Hunting

Lord, I am so blessed to be able to hunt and I
appreciate the blessings You have bestowed
upon me. Yet I know that so many others are in
great need. Give me the grace to share the
food of the hunt not only with my family and
friends but also with those who have greater
need: the hungry and the poor. May my sharing
with them be one small part of my continuing
care for your poor. As they ask You, Father, for
their daily bread, use me as one small instrument to help provide it to them

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Prayer to St. Hubert of Liege

Lord God, You have put all things under man’s dominion. Guide us to take the animals that need to be culled for the preservation of their species and the rest of the ecosystem. Let me always respect the animals I have hunted. Never let me torment them, mock them, or made them objects of ridicule. When I take an animal’s life let me always maintain respect for the wonder of its existence and the importance of its meat to those who need it for sustenance.

Prayer to St. Hubert of Liege

Dear St. Hubert of Liege,

You dedicated your life to serving God and spreading the Gospel to all those around you. Your unwavering faith and devotion to the Lord inspires us to follow in your footsteps and lead a life filled with purpose and meaning.

As the patron saint of hunters and those who suffer from rabies, we turn to you in times of need. We ask for your intercession and guidance, that we may live our lives in accordance with the will of God and find peace and comfort in His love.

St. Hubert, we pray for your continued protection and guidance. Help us to always strive for righteousness and to lead a life filled with love and kindness. May we find solace in your example and be guided by your wisdom.

Amen.

Another Prayer to St. Hubert of Liege

Dear St. Hubert of Liege,

We turn to you in our time of need, seeking your intercession and guidance. You were a shining example of faith and devotion to God, and we look to you for inspiration and encouragement as we navigate the challenges of this world.

As the patron saint of hunters and those who suffer from rabies, we ask for your protection and guidance. May we always lead lives that are in accordance with the will of God, and may we find comfort and peace in His love and grace.

St. Hubert, we pray that you continue to be with us and guide us along the path of righteousness. May we always be mindful of your example and be inspired by your unwavering faith and dedication to the Lord.

Amen.

St. Hubert of Liege: Patron Saint of Hunters and Animals

St. Hubert of Liege is a revered saint who is remembered for his conversion and devotion to the Church. He is honored as the patron saint of hunters and animals, and his life continues to inspire people all over the world.

Patron Saint of Hunters

St. Hubert of Liege is the patron saint of hunters, and he is invoked by those who engage in hunting activities. He is remembered for his own conversion while hunting, where he had a vision of a stag with a cross between its antlers, and he is seen as a symbol of the power of faith and devotion to transform one’s life.

Patron Saint of Animals

St. Hubert of Liege is also the patron saint of animals, and he is revered by those who care for and protect animals. He is remembered for his kindness and compassion towards all creatures, and he is honored as a symbol of respect for the natural world and its inhabitants.

St. Hubert of Liege’s legacy continues to inspire people all over the world, and he is remembered as a great example of conversion and devotion to the Church. Through his example, he reminds us of the importance of embracing our faith and using it to transform our lives and to serve others.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Hubert of Liege

The feast day of St. Hubert of Liege is on November 3rd.

On the feast day of St. Hubert of Liege, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the great saints of the early Church. St. Hubert was a bishop of the 7th century and is widely considered as the patron saint of hunters and trappers. He was known for his devotion to God and his work as a missionary, spreading the Christian faith throughout the region of Liege, in present-day Belgium.

St. Hubert’s story is one of transformation, of a man who was once living a worldly and self-centered life, but through his encounter with God, he became a devout and holy man. According to legend, St. Hubert was out hunting on Good Friday when he heard a voice that said, “”Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord and lead a holy life, you shall quickly go down to hell.”” This encounter led to his conversion and he devoted his life to serving God.

St. Hubert’s encounter with God reminds us that each one of us has the potential for transformation, for becoming a better version of ourselves. We are all capable of turning away from our sins, repenting and embracing a new way of living. The message of St. Hubert’s life is that it is never too late to start anew, to change, and to follow the path of righteousness.

St. Hubert is also an important figure for hunters and outdoorsmen. His patronage reminds us that even in what may seem like a mundane activity, we can still glorify God and to offer all that we do to him. Additionally, St. Hubert’s legacy teaches us the importance of balance, being able to appreciate the beauty of nature while also recognizing our responsibility to be good stewards of it.

In conclusion, as we celebrate the feast day of St. Hubert of Liege, let us remember the example of this great saint and his message of transformation and devotion to God. May we strive to follow his example and to deepen our relationship with God, through humility, repentance, and service to others.

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Also check out our handmade St. Hubert of Liege Medal and St. Hubert of Liege Rosary and St. Hubert of Liege Rosary Bracelet .