Hubert (Hubertus), St

Hubert (Hubertus), St.

Son of Bertrand, duke of Guienne was high in office under Theoderic, king of the Franks having been a great sportsman, and, according to tradition, converted by a stag which bore a shining cross between his antlers, and which spoke, entreating him to turn from his gay life and serve the Church. He at once entered the Church, succeeded his religious instructor, Lambert (Lamprecht), as bishop of Lüttich in 708, and died in 727. His body was in 827 transferred to the Benedictine convent of Andain, in the Ardennes, which thence received the name of St. Hubertus, and it is here he is said to have had the abovementioned vision. Tradition also holds that his relics, by virtue of the golden key of St. Hubert, which he received from St. Peter, can cure hydrophobia, etc. The 3rd of November (St. Hubert's day) marks the end of the hunting season, and was celebrated by great hunts (St. Hubert's chase). — Pierer, Univ. Lex. 8, 570; Theolog. Univ. Lex. 1, 372.