St. Hubert

Saint Hubert of Liège

Bishop & Confessor

Hubert was born to a noble family in northeastern France or the Low Countries in the mid-seventh century. A worldly man, he loved nothing more than hunting for sport. On one Good Friday morning, Hubert went hunting instead of attending the Good Friday liturgy. Much like St. Eustace before him, Hubert was stalking a great stag when a crucifix, surrounded by blinding light, appeared between the stag’s antlers. The voice of our Lord admonished him for his worldliness and irresponsible hunting, and told the repentant nobleman to seek out the bishop St. Lambert. Under Lambert’s direction, Hubert gave up all his earthly goods, entered the priesthood after his wife died in childbirth, and eventually succeeded the martyred St. Lambert as Bishop of Liège, an office which his own son one day also held. Though he desired a martyr’s death, Hubert lived a long life as a preacher, missionary, and patron of the poor, earning the title “Apostle of the Ardennes” for his efforts to eliminate paganism in that region. This “hunter of souls” died in the year of Our Lord 727. He is a patron of hunters, dogs, opticians, and against rabies, and gives his name to everything from hunting guilds to dog breeds.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for November 3rd

THE birthday [into heaven] of St. Quartus, disciple of the apostles.

At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, the holy martyrs Germanus, Theophilus, Caesarius and Vitalis, who became illustrious martyrs in the persecution of Decius.

At Saragossa, under Dacian, governor of Spain, innumerable holy martyrs, who laid down their lives for Christ with admirable fervor.

At Viterbo, during the persecution of Maximian, the holy martyrs Valentine, priest, and Hilary, deacon. For attachment to the faith of Christ, they were cast into the Tiber with a stone tied to them, but being miraculously rescued by an angel, they were beheaded, and thus were crowned with the glory of martyrdom.

In England, St. Winefride, virgin and martyr.

In the monastery of Clairvaux, the decease of St. Malachy, bishop of Armagh, in Ireland, who won renown in his own days for his many virtues, and whose life was written by the abbot St. Bernard.

The same day, St. Hubert, bishop of Tongres.

At Vienne, St. Domnus, bishop and confessor.

Also, the departure from this life of St. Pirminus, bishop of Meaux.

At Urgel, in Spain, St. Hermengaudus, bishop.

At Rome, St. Sylvia, mother of pope St. Gregory.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.