31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners, 
On November 3, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Hubert – more formally, St. Hubert of Liege, with Liege being a city in Belgium. Hubert was born around the year 656 in Toulouse, France, and died on May 30, 727 near Liege where he was the bishop during his adult life. St. Hubert was widely venerated during the Middle Ages. Other forms of the name “Hubert” are Hugo and Hugh, and the name means “bright mind” in German. Hubert was the eldest son of a duke, and in 682 married Floribanne, the daughter of a Belgian count. Floribanne died while giving birth to their son Floribert, and heavy grief prompted Hubert to retreat from his political life and duties. He withdrew to the local forests and gave himself up entirely to hunting. On a Good Friday morning, while the faithful were in church, Hubert was hunting, having abandoned the practice of his Catholic faith. As he pursued a magnificent stag, the animal turned to Hubert, showing the crucifix seemingly floating between its great antlers. Hubert heard a voice that said: “Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord and lead a holy life, you shall quickly go down into Hell.” Hubert then asked, “Lord, what would You have me do? He was told, “Go and seek Lambert, and he will instruct you.” Lambert was the bishop of Maastricht, who received Hubert kindly and became his spiritual director. Hubert renounced his position and wealth and gave it to his younger brother, Odo, along with the care of his infant son, Floribert. Hubert then studied for the priesthood, was ordained, and then assisted Bishop Lambert in ministry in the Maastricht diocese. When Bishop Lambert died, Hubert was appointed the bishop of Maastricht, and then of the newly-formed diocese of nearby Liege. Hubert gained the trust of the people through the outdoorsman skills he acquitted in his brief hunting life before his conversion and was greatly loved. He died peacefully in Liege. Because of his hunting skills, St. Hubert is the patron saint of hunters, archers, trappers, dogs, forest workers, opticians, and mathematicians, as well of the city of Liege. He is honored by sportsmen as the originator of ethical hunting practices. St. Hubert, pray for us and protect all hunters.