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| Exhumation of St. Hubert, c. 1437 (PD) |
If you know anyone who has given up hunting for hunting’s sake (rather than for survival’s sake), then you might have rubbed shoulders with Saint Hubert’s legacy.
Saint Hubert (aka "Hubertus") lived in what is now France, the Netherlands and Belgium from approximately 656 to 727 A.D. Like many privileged lads of his time, Hubert was enamored
with “the chase” (hunting as a sport).
Wikipedia explains that Hubert “gave himself up entirely to hunting” while grieving the untimely death of his wife. Even on Good Friday, “Hubert sailed forth to the chase.”
While pursuing a "magnificent stag" that very morning, Hubert suddenly perceived a crucifix between its antlers. We are told that Hubert then heard a voice urging him to turn immediately to the Lord. He was specifically instructed to go see Lambert. Saint Lambert afterwards became Hubert’s spiritual mentor.
The same “magnificent stag” had also taught Hubert these ethical principles of hunting:
“…only shoot when a humane, clean and quick kill is assured… shoot only old stags past their prime breeding years… never shoot a female with young…”
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubertus
Copyright May 17, 2014 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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