Brotherhood of Saint Hubertus

This saint was contemporary with and probably even allied to Pepin of Herstal and Charles Martel. . He was a keen hunter and even went hunting on Good Friday. He came across a stag with a luminous cross in the middle of its antlers, and a voice shouted “Hubert! Hubert! ! How long will you chase beasts through the forests? How long will this vain passion make you forget the salvation of your soul ? ”. Having become a fervent believer, he succeeded Saint Lambert and became Bishop of Maastricht. He transferred the relics of Saint Lambert to Liège, which was only a village at the time.

The ancient brotherhood was founded in the church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon in 1623 by Pope Urban VIII, under the protection of Archduchess Isabella, governess of the Netherlands and daughter of King Philip II of Spain. Many eminent families joined the brotherhood. . The brotherhood installed a large stained-glass window in the choir depicting a hunt with the coats of arms of its members around it.

In 1899, the announcement of the Mass of St Hubert recalled the many cases of rabies detected in Brussels during that year!
Since 1882, the “Cercle Royal St Hubert” has sounded the annual Mass of St Hubert with hunting horns.

St Hubert’s mass on 3 November, with the sounding of hunting horns, bread blessed to prevent rabies and the blessing of the animals in front of the statue of St Hubert.

In the transept, as you leave the chapel, you will find a beautiful 17th century painting depicting the conversion of Saint Hubert by Jacob Van Oost.