Saint Hubert

Life story

Hubert was born around 656 into a noble Frankish family. He became a count of the palace at the Neustrian court and later served Pepin of Herstal as head of his household. He married Floribanne, daughter of Count Dagobert of Leuven, and had a son, Floribert, who also became bishop of Liège.

After his wife died he withdrew to the Ardennes to hunt, and then sought out Bishop Lambert of Maastricht, who became his spiritual director. He went on pilgrimage to Rome, and while he was away Lambert was assassinated. Hubert became bishop of Maastricht, and the see was later moved to Liège. In 720 he transferred Lambert's relics to Liège. He also preached to pagans in the Ardennes and in Toxandria.

The well-known story of the stag with a crucifix between its antlers, met on Good Friday, appears only in later lives and seems to be borrowed from the legend of Saint Eustace; the Catholic Encyclopedia calls it a pious legend. The earliest life offers few details.

He died on 30 May 727 (some sources say 728) at Fura (modern Tervuren) in Brabant. In 825 his remains were moved to the abbey of Saint-Hubert. His feast on 3 November is probably the date of that relic translation.

Works and witness

• Held office at the Neustrian court and served Pepin of Herstal
• Disciple and successor of Bishop Lambert
• Moved Lambert's relics to Liège in 720
• Preached to pagans in the Ardennes and Toxandria
• Remains transferred to the abbey of Saint-Hubert in 825

Patron of

Hunters

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Hubert" (newadvent.org/cathen/07507a.htm)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.