Saint Hugh Of Grenoble – Saint Of The Day – April 1

01/04/2024

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Bishop and monk. Reformer and founder of a monastery. A patron saint against headaches.

Sacred Art — St Hugh of Grenoble, who helped St Bruno found the Carthusian Order in 1085 (unknown 16th century North Italian painter, National Gallery, London)

Hugh was born in 1053 at Chateauneuf, Dauphiné, France. In 1080, at just 27 years of age, the provincial council of Avignon elected him bishop of Grenoble, even though he had not yet received priestly ordination. He went to Rome with a papal legate and was ordained directly by Saint Gregory VII, in those years engaged in the reformatory work of the Church, which became known as “Gregorian Reform”.

Hugh’s first few years as bishop were not easy. He had to deal with a lot of corruption in his diocese, including the buying and selling of Church offices, the desecration of clerical celibacy, laymen governing Church property, and religious unfamiliarity among the people.

After two unsuccessful years without change, he decided to serve God as a Benedictine monk. After a year, the pope instructed him to resume his position as bishop of Grenoble. This time, Hugh was very successful in bringing about reform.

He courageously defended the Church in disputes and was a renowned preacher. Because he frequently suffered from head pains, he became the patron saint against headaches.

Saint Hugh of Grenoble died on 1 April 1132 in Grenoble, France of natural causes.

Iconologia of St Hugh of Grenoble: He is represented in episcopal vestments over his white cap. He can also be represented in Carthusian garb receiving Bruno (sometimes with stars, the Carthusian emblem). He also happens to bless geese which turn into turtles.