Feast of Sant’Uberto di Liegi

Sant'Uberto di Liegi, ora pro nobis

November 3rd is the Feast of Sant’Uberto di Liegi (St. Hubert of Liège), Bishop and Confessor. Known as the "Apostle of the Ardennes," he is the patron saint of hunters. According to tradition, Sant’Uberto (circa 656-727) turned from God after the untimely death of his wife. Withdrawing from society and abandoning his faith, the distraught Frankish nobleman lost himself in the hunt. One Good Friday, he came upon a magnificent white stag with a radiant cross shining between its antlers. Mesmerized by the great beast, he heard a voice say, “Hubert, unless thou turns to the Lord, and leads a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into hell.” Renouncing his wealth and titles, he straightened out his life and joined the priesthood, eventually becoming the first Bishop of Leodicum (now Liège) in the eastern Frankish Kingdom of Austrasia.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Hubert of Liège. Pictured is my makeshift shrine with a photo of my father (checkered shirt) and friends on a successful boar hunt, and a framed postcard depicting The Conversion of St. Hubert (The Hours of Catherine of Cleves, M. 917, p. 256, Utrecht, Netherlands, about 1440) I purchased at the Pierpont Morgan Library & Museum. Evviva Sant’Uberto!

Prayer to St. Hubert of Liège

Great St. Hubert, you were passionate about hunting, but when touched by Divine Grace, you put down your bow and took up the collar of Priesthood. Known for your miracles and the conversion of hundreds, you convinced others to worship and glorify Our Lord. Moved by your example, I implore your help. I ask for the Grace to follow in your footsteps and become a passionate disciple of Christ. Amen.