“Who was Hubertus?” I can almost hear you ask as we gather before this solemn stone. The St. Hubertus Stele stands here as a silent reminder of a man whose life took an extraordinary turn.
Hubert of Liège, a name resonating through centuries, was no ordinary man. Born around 656 AD, he was the son of a Frankish duke. Young Hubert was a skilled hunter, devoted to the thrill of the chase. But destiny had other plans.
Legend says that Hubert was hunting on a Good Friday morning. As he pursued a magnificent stag, it turned. A crucifix appeared between its antlers. Hubert heard a voice. “Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord, thou shalt quickly go down into Hell.”
Imagine the scene. The hunter confronted by the divine. Hubert dismounted, prostrated himself. He asked what he should do. The voice told him to seek Lambert. Lambert would instruct him.
This encounter transformed Hubert. He sought out Bishop Lambert of Maastricht. Hubert renounced his honors. He gave up his birthright. Hubert distributed his wealth among the poor. He became a priest.
Later, after Lambert’s assassination, Hubert became the Bishop of Maastricht. He moved the seat to Liège. Hubert evangelized among the pagans in the Ardennes forests. His hunting skills helped him gain their trust. He understood the forest and its creatures.
Hubert died in 727 AD. He was initially buried in Liège. Later, his bones were moved to the Abbey of Andain. Today, St. Hubert is the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, and metalworkers. He is also the originator of ethical hunting behavior.
The St. Hubertus Stele here is a testament to that legacy. It reminds us of the hunter who became a saint. He learned to respect animals. He acted with compassion. He ensured humane kills. Even now, German and Austrian hunter education courses teach his legacy.
The story of St. Hubertus is a reminder that even the most avid pursuer can find a different path. A path of reverence, responsibility, and respect for all living things. The St. Hubertus Stele stands as a symbol. It is a symbol of transformation and a lasting call to ethical action.