A Catholic Hunting Season

Greetings fellow Catholics, and in particular, those among you that are ardent hunters – the season is upon us.

If you are a passionate hunter and avid outdoors man (or woman) like myself, and being Catholic at that, you may have heard of St. Hubert.

Hubert was the oldest son of Bertrand, Duke of Aquintaine and grandson of Charibert, King of Toulouse – a descendant of The Great Pharamond. The time frame is somewhere in the early 700’s when it was cited that Hubert, who devoted all of his time to the chase and pursuit of game, was out in the field on a particular Good Friday. While the faithful Catholics were at Holy Mass on that day of obligation, Hubert was out in the field atop his horse and with his hounds in pursuit of a trophy, bull stag.

As the story goes, Hubert was closing in for the kill when the stag stopped in a clearing, turned and looked directly at him. Hubert immediately saw a crucifix set fixed in between the stag’s antlers and heard a voice coming from the Christ figure on the cross, saying, “”Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord, and lead a holy life, you shall quickly fall into the abyss of Hell!”.

Hubert immediately dismounted his horse and fell prostrate on the ground, asking the voice what he must do to amend his life. Immediately the voice replied, “Go seek Lambert and he will give thee instruction.” Lambert, who was the Bishop of Maastricht, gladly received Hubert and began instructing him in the Faith and became his spiritual adviser.

Hubert renounced all of his honors, titles and military rank. He also relinquished his birthright as heir to the Duchy of Aquintaine. Hubert delved into his priestly studies and was ordained a priest. He became one of the chief associates in Bishop Lambert’s diocese, eventually becoming the 31st Bishop of Maastricht upon the death of Bp. Lambert, and the first Bishop of Liege.

It is said that Hubert ventured deep into the French, Ardennes Forest where pagan idolatry was still prevalent. Risking danger to his life he managed to convert the pagan souls and had great influence in abolishing much of the idolatry in that region.

Many miracles were known of St. Hubert including expulsion of demons and curing those inflicted with rabies by making the Sign of the Cross. He is known as the patron saint to hunters, fisherman, archers, forest workers, furriers and trappers. He is also the patron saint for mathematicians, machinists, precision instrument makers and smelters.

St. Hubert died while in transit to the dedication of a new church. It is said he died while repeating the Lord’s prayer. The Roman Catholic Church has established his feast day on November 3rd, as the rut is close to being at it’s peak in that region.

As hunters and fisherman, there are so many variables that affect our success, I value the intercession of the Saints, especially when I am hunting. Below is a prayer that I say as I begin my hunt on any particular day, it is mostly a daily offering as well as a request for the intercession of St. Hubert:

Dearest Lord, I offer to you all of my thoughts, words, deeds and actions of this day, in union with Your Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother Mary; for all the souls in the world, that they will come to know you and love you; for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory[especially for ________ insert name(s)], that they will quickly fly to you and be with you. For _______________(name immediate family members here); For all of my extended family and friends. For all true priests and religious, especially _________[name(s) here including bishops]. And I especially ask for the intercession of St. Hubert in the success of today’s hunt, in helping me to ensure an accurate, clean, killing shot. I humbly ask this in Your Most Holy Name. St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters pray for us. Amen.

As faithful Catholics, consider also the obligation of Sunday Mass and keeping of the Sunday holy. In that regards, and for many years now, I have made a pledge to offer up all of my Sundays during hunting season as no-hunt days. This mainly due to the fact of needing to assist at Holy Mass, to rest and to be with my family, but also out of a need to offer up the desire to be out in the woods as a sacrifice.

As it was for St. Hubert, my desire to be out hunting can far exceed all other priorities. And as St. Hubert, who answered God’s call and heeded his warning, I know too that it is in my own soul’s best interest that this desire be tempered, lest I lose my perspective regarding my family, the Faith, and this holy day of obligation.

St. Hubert had the grace to make the Lord the center of his life and not the hunting. In a way he became the master of the hunt, not a slave to it, letting it rule his passions. How can we imitate St. Hubert? What better sacrifice to offer up than to not be in the woods hunting on any given Sunday? The day of the week reserved as holy, a day of rest – the Lord’s day. The real sacrifice is when you know it’s a perfect day to be out there! Trust me it can be tough! To help ease the effect of the desire, I consider it “giving the game a day off”.

So I entreat you to hit the woods this winter and no matter what your quarry may be, invoke the intercession of St. Hubert and consider giving up your Sundays as no-hunt days. I promise you this act will not go unrewarded. And to date, St Hubert has yet to let me down in this simple petition.

“St. Hubert patron saint of hunters, pray for us!”