Hubertus was born the son of a duke in 656 A.D., in what is now France. He led a life full of luxury, leisure, and education.  He was good looking and intelligent, strong and energetic, influential and friendly.

 

When he was young, he especially loved the outdoors. He spent much time hunting and was known as an expert bowman. He hunted so much that he didn’t have much time for prayer, hunting even on holy days, which was considered a great sacrilege.

 

His beloved wife and hunting companion, Floribanne, died during Holy Week of 684 and on that Good Friday Hubertus went hunting to console himself. As Hubertus was hunting a stag, he had a vision of a crucifix (the Cross with the crucified Jesus on it) shining between the stag’s antlers. 

 

The Lord Jesus Christ told Hubertus in the vision that he needed to find purpose and comfort not only in hunting but even more especially in serving the Gospel. He told Hubertus to go visit a holy bishop, Lambert, to find out what to do next. Hubertus was touched to the heart by this vision and was eager to do what the Lord told him.

 

Hubertus was so committed to the Gospel of Jesus that, under the guidance of holy Bishop Lambert, he gave all his wealth to the poor and his noble titles to his brother. He became a priest and spread the Gospel of Jesus among the country people and hunters he loved so much. He fasted and prayed a great deal, was a moving preacher, took care of the poorest in the countryside, and was a wise steward of the forest and wildlife.

Hubertus eventually became Bishop of Liege and was known for his miraculous works of healing. He died peacefully in 727 and was recognized as a saint in 743. His body is in St Hubertus Church in Belgium, which has been the site of pilgrimages and miracles ever since.

 

People who love the outdoors find St Hubertus to be a friend and intercessor, with his special concern for hunters, bowmen, hunting dogs, hunting raptors and falconers, and the inhabitants of the forest. His Feast Day is November 3rd.

 

He has a window dedicated to him in All Saints Chapel, Elkhart Lake, that depicts his vision of the crucified Jesus in the stag’s antlers. And the fellowship hall on the grounds of the chapel is named St. Hubertus Hall, not far from where a hunter’s cabin once stood on the chapel grounds.

 

Grace Episcopal Church and its chapel All Saints are honored to share in the Blessing of the Hunters with you each year, on or around November 3rd.

 

St Hubertus and all you saints, pray for us!