St. Hubert's Day - Patron saint of hunters

[The Green Man]

I just wondered if anyone celebrated St. Hubert's Day? Normally 1st Sunday in November. I think a number of rural C of E churches had some form of service and I believe the rural chaplaincy in north Dorset had a service where hunters could attend dressed in their shooting attire? Do any Churches / rural chaplaincies still offer this type of service in your area?

 

[375win]

We celebrate St Hubert's day at home, with recorded Jagdhornblaeser and all. Sadly, Saint Hubert and the activity he represents have gone out of fashion. Saint Francis has won the day; talking to muntjac and grey squirrels being so much more popular than harvesting them.
The St Hubert Club of GB hold their AGM around St Hubert's day - not sure that counts as a celebration of the saint though. Many of the founding members of that organisation such as Baron Konopka were from the continent where the tradition was and is much stronger.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

We do do it here, the service in the church is with our Jagdhorn group blowing in the freshly shot game usually roe and hare that is carried in and laid before the alter along with a stuffed boar Keiler being used to add some gravity to the event, when the service is over the horn group then blow Halali (hunt over). Then we go to the nearest prearranged hostelry eat a meal and get pi**ed.

 

[levigsp]

I celebrate the day wherever I am in the world.
My house and all shooting /hunting equipment were blessed by a priest on St Huberts day.
And its one of the few times of the year where I will actively search out a church that blesses hunters on the day.

 

[Ratel]

We had a village priest a few years back who used to lead prayers and bless the hounds at a local meet in early November.

 

[Ratel]

The St Hubert Club of GB hold their AGM around St Hubert's day - not sure that counts as a celebration of the saint though. Many of the founding members of that organisation such as Baron Konopka were from the continent where the tradition was and is much stronger.

It was a good club in it's early days and had several Polish and Hungarian members.

 

[Chill 123]

It was a good club in it's early days and had several Polish and Hungarian members.

Hi Ratel
it still is a good club ,
Chill

 

[sy247]

Hi Ratel
it still is a good club ,
Chill

I'll second that

 

[webley701]

Hi Ratel
it still is a good club ,
Chill

The ‘club’ kept its head well down in 1996/97.

 

[cjm1066]

Pround to be a member, for over 40 years, it a very good club.

 

[User00047]

I can’t say I’m a Christian man but I like the idea of St Hubertus

 

[Klenchblaize]

No reason why any Club subject to adversity can’t come through it better and stronger.

I like the idea of attending a Harvest Festival-like service that heaps blessings upon the marginalised UK Hunter!

K

 

[The Green Man]

No reason why any Club subject to adversity can’t come through it better and stronger.

I like the idea of attending a Harvest Festival-like service that heaps blessings upon the marginalised UK Hunter!

K

If there was a Harvest Festival-like service for hunters which would it be more favourable at a local farm or in a church? I only ask as we have a once a month Butty Van for the farming community to come together run by the Church out reach in south Shropshire nothing heavy but a good place to come together with like minded people none judgemental.

 

[375win]

I would say the setting is secondary, though my personal preference would be a church. The idea, the tradition followed, and the service are the driving force.
Well done for the butty van, great idea

 

[375win]

If there was a Harvest Festival-like service for hunters which would it be more favourable at a local farm or in a church? I only ask as we have a once a month Butty Van for the farming community to come together run by the Church out reach in south Shropshire nothing heavy but a good place to come together with like minded people none judgemental.

Just wondering if you ever organised something along those lines.

 

[arnbll]

I've never heard of St Hubert. Now I am going to have a yearly game dinner in his honour. Found this on interweb (sounds like he was on the sauce when he saw his 'vision'):-
t. Hubert was a Christian saint and bishop who, according to legend, was converted from his noble hunting life by a vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, leading him to become the first Bishop of Liège. He is known as the "Apostle of the Ardennes" and is the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, and opticians, with a feast day on November 3rd. His story is associated with protection against rabies and is a key part of hunting lore.



His Life and Legend

• Noble Beginnings:
  Hubert was born into a noble family in the late 7th century and was known for his love of hunting, a common aristocratic pursuit.
  

• The Vision of the Stag:
  While hunting in the Ardennes forest, legend states he encountered a white stag with a radiant crucifix between its antlers, which prompted a divine revelation.
  

• Conversion and Priesthood:
  The vision led him to renounce his wealth and titles, dedicate his life to Christ, and study for the priesthood.
  

• Bishop of Liège:
  Hubert eventually became the first Bishop of Liège in 708 AD, a position he held until his death around 727 AD.
  

Patronage and Legacy

• • Patron Saint: St. Hubert is revered as the patron saint of hunters, a role often linked to the veneration of valor and the nobility of the chase. He is also considered the patron of mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers.
    

• Protection against Rabies: In the Middle Ages and beyond, he was invoked for protection against rabies, and the St. Hubert's Key was used in healing rituals.
  

• Feast Day: His feast day is celebrated annually on November 3rd.
  

 

[Stalker62]

Fun fact.

Back in the midst of time...



When Dragons walked the earth, and the internet was a thing of dreams (before it became the thing of nightmares)...





I began one of the 'Chapters' of my Life on St. Hubert's Day...

 

[Tikka 260]

A St. Hubert Chapel is a place of worship dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters, with notable examples including the Chapelle Saint-Hubert at the Château d'Amboise in France, and a neogothic chapel in the Lednice-Valtice Area in the Czech Republic. The chapel at Amboise is a Flamboyant Gothic building containing the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, while the chapel in Lednice-Valtice is a distinctive triangular structure surrounded by forest.
There is also a Chapel in Chichester Cathedral, We have visited Amboise Chapel within the Castle grounds and of course Chichester Cathedral which is close by here. The Musee in Amboise is worth a visit if you happen by the area, its filled with Leonardo da Vinci artefacts .

 

[Hayduke]

As hunters we have two patron saints and they both had very similar visions:
St Eustacious D. 118 the Roman General who converted to Christianity and was subsequently martyred by Hadrian
and St Hubert B. 656/8 - D. 727