The Catholic - The Wonderworker of Lincoln

Commanded to preach

At the age of 19, St Hugh was ordained deacon. His humility made him protest he was too young for the dignity, but the Canons overruled his arguments. They confided the Priory of St Maxime to him. Obedience alone made him undertake the charge, and he begged that as a companion he might have one of the older Canons.

The parish, under St Hugh’s guidance, soon changed its whole aspect. He raised the fallen, and turned many hearts to God by his preaching; he relieved the poor, and sought out all that had need of a shepherd’s care. When not occupied with pastoral duties, St Hugh spent his time in prayer. Not one of his hearers was ever tempted to “despise his youth”; on the contrary, he appeared to all as another Stephen, “full of grace and fortitude.”

Contemplative Vocation

But life at St Maxime failed to satisfy St Hugh; he longed to fly the turmoil and misery of the world, and shelter himself in a haven of solitude and silence, where he could make full sacrifice of himself to his Creator and live only for the contemplation of God. He made a visit to the Grande Chartreuse. Their monastery stood out boldly on the slopes of a rocky mountain, surrounded by dense forests and watered by rapid torrents. The church was both artistic in design and ornament, but the library particularly attracted his attention, for he saw in this abundance of books a help to contemplation, and means of intercourse with God. It was, however, the interior spirit of the monks that especially captivated him. Their fasts and mortifications were severe, their cells seemed shut off from everything beautiful in life, yet their lives were full of sweetness and peace that were a foretaste of Paradise, and St Hugh felt himself irresistibly drawn to the Carthusian life. With tears he sought permission to enter the novitiate from the Prior, who, anxious to test him, told him “Our life would kill you. Our hair-shirt alone would tear off your skin, and leave your bones bare, and your constitution is far too delicate to support the austerities of our Rule.”

This reply did but inflame his desire the more, and he persevered in his application and was accepted. He was received with all joy in his new home, and began his life as a solitary. He spent both day and night alone in his cell, only leaving it three times in 24 hours, to unite in the recitation of the Divine Office. When the day of his vows arrived, he rose from his knees, full of holy joy at having at last obtained the grace so ardently desired. “He was a Carthusian, and it was for ever.”

“Their Statutes recommend not singularity, but solitude; their cells are separate, but their hearts are united; each one dwells by himself but none keeps anything for himself nor does anything on his own account; all live in isolation, yet each acts with the Community; being alone, the disadvantages and dangers of society are avoided; but there is enough common life to supply the advantages and comfort procured by the society of kindred spirits.”

He again filled the office of Infirmarian to an aged monk, and with all charity took care of him, “as a mother takes care of a little child.” In return, the holy man prepared St Hugh for the priesthood.

After his ordination, St Hugh seemed to live a new life. He doubled his penances, and was filled only with the thought of the great act he was now able to accomplish at the altar. Nor could his devotion be hidden from those who assisted at his Mass.

It was at this time that St Hugh made the acquaintance of the holy Archbishop afterwards known as St Peter of Tarentaise, with whom he held frequent intercourse during his visits to the monastery. When he had been a Carthusian ten years, he was made Procurator, and lived in what was known as the Lower House, to take charge of the Serving Brothers and entertain the visitors who applied for hospitality. St Hugh displayed rare prudence and judgment, and the kindliness of his manner towards strangers was spoken of far and wide. He had left his cell for these exterior duties with great regret, but discharged them so that his inward peace of soul was in no way disturbed. For seven years he held this post, till a change was to take place in his life, which would show yet more power of his virtue and the saintliness of his life.

Summons to England

King Henry II of England, anxious to make reparation for his persecution of the Church, which had resulted in the death of St Thomas of Canterbury, wished to introduce the Carthusian Order into England. Some monks had already been sent over from the Grande Chartreuse, but the foundation had not prospered. Henry therefore was induced to obtain St Hugh of Avalon. “He is endowed with every virtue,” he was told, “and beloved by all who know him. You have only to set eyes upon him, to feel drawn to become his friend. When he speaks, he is listened to as though his words come from God. He is the one man who can deliver you from your anxieties, and make his Order flourish in your kingdom. He carries the whole human race in his heart, and loves all men with the love of perfect charity.”

It was only a conviction that it was the will of God, which induced the monks to part with him, even as it was only obedience that made St Hugh accept their decision. In England he was welcomed by the king and received by his brothers as an angel sent from Heaven to relieve them. His first care was to erect suitable buildings for a monastery, and a church where they could recite the Office. In monetary affairs the King had promised every assistance, and at first treated St Hugh with much generosity. The work went on well, but funds were not sufficient to complete the task, and the renewed promises of the King seemed unlikely to be fulfilled. The Prior patiently awaited the King’s pleasure, but the other monks urged him to apply for help to the King in person.

Accompanied by Br Gerard, an ancient warrior of who had no fear of any king or ruler, St Hugh accordingly set out. He urged Br Gerard to mingle prudence with zeal, and in patience to possess his soul, but in vain; for no sooner had he heard a renewed promise of help from the King, than he thundered forth that promises without fulfilment were of no avail, and declared his intention of leaving the kingdom. His vocabulary exhausted, there was a silence, and the King turned to the Prior with the question, “Will you also leave my kingdom?” “No, my Lord and King,” replied St Hugh, “I will not leave you — I do not despair of you. Rather I feel great pity for you. You have many cares, which hinder you from thinking of the interests of your soul. When God gives you time for reflection, you will do as you have promised.” “As I hope for salvation,” exclaimed the King, embracing the Prior as he spoke, “I swear you shall never leave my kingdom as long as I live.” With these words the King gave St Hugh the sum of money necessary for the completion of his buildings. The monastery at Witham was completed, and the monks were able to live in the spirit and seclusion of their Order.

The King gave St Hugh his entire confidence. “There was no one to whom he listened as to the Prior of Witham.” St Hugh never missed an opportunity of pointing out to the King his misdeeds, yet did not incur his displeasure. He gave a striking proof of the King’s confidence in the prayers of St Hugh. Once, when at sea, a storm arose and the King and his fleet were in imminent danger of death. In his fear the King cried out; “Oh, if my Carthusian Hugh were watching now, if he were praying in his cell, or chanting the Divine Office with his brothers, for his sake God would not forget me!” And with tears he continued: “O God, Whom the Prior of Witham serves so faithfully, look Thou upon his merits and intercession, and for his sake take pity upon our distress, in spite of our sins which deserve Thy judgments!” At that moment the storm abated, and every ship reached port in safety.

The services, which St Hugh was called upon to render to the King, did not interfere with the religious spirit. He strove to give his monks a real love of the Rule, and to encourage them in obedience to its minutest detail. He collected for his monastery a rich library of books. “When we are at peace,” he said, “books are our treasure and delight; when we are hungry, they are our food; when we are sick, they are our remedy. This is a resource, which no Order of religious can afford to neglect; but those who need it most are monks, who live in solitude.”

Consecrated a Bishop

He was now called by God to leave the retirement and peace of the cell so dear to him. The bishopric of Lincoln had been vacant for nearly 18 years, and in May, 1186, Henry II assembled a number of bishops and nobles, and bade them make an election.

St Hugh received the deputation that came to inform him of the election, with a firm refusal to accept the honour, and told the Cannons that the election was irregular, having taken place in the King’s chapel, and not in their chapter - house. The Canons elected him again. Again he refused, giving this time as a reason that he was bound by his vow of obedience to the General of his Order. Deputies accordingly obtained the necessary command for St Hugh to obey the Archbishop of Canterbury. This he did with great reluctance.

Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, performed the consecration on 21 September, 1186. St Hugh received the imposition of hands, with the determination of becoming a true apostle. When the holy oil flowed over his head and hands, his heart also was inundated with that Divine charity which made him a real father to his flock.

St Hugh spent the night before his entry into Lincoln in prayer, and when at length sleep overcame him, he heard in his dream a voice saying to him, “Thou goest to save thy people, to save them with the help of thy Christ.” Next day he made his solemn entry within the walls, barefooted, amid general rejoicing from his people, whom he feasted with a liberality that astounded them. With the clergy of his diocese he soon became intimately acquainted, and inspired them with a true estimate of the sanctity of their calling and with a love of learning.

With the disorderly and those who sowed discord, St Hugh displayed great firmness, and dismissed them without mercy; while upon those who were living holy lives he showered every affection and mark of esteem. Soon the whole diocese knew that a power had risen among them that was felt in the remotest church no less than in the cathedral; evil practices were abolished, and many good customs revived.

Rebuilding the Cathedral

The Bishop had soon to turn his attention to the rebuilding of the Cathedral itself, which in its primitive form had been erected by the first Bishop of the diocese under the Norman Conqueror, and dedicated to Our Lady of Lincoln. Both by fire and earthquake the building had suffered considerably, and was now almost in a state of ruin. St Hugh may thus be regarded as its second founder and placed among the bishops, to whom the world owes those masterpieces of architectural skill, which are the marvel of all time.

In those the labourers in such a holy project were often voluntary, and admitted to their number no one who had not previously confessed and done penance for his sins. In silence and humility they would drag along the carts, presenting their offerings with tears of contrition or would journey along singing canticles and offering prayers for their sick through the Blessed Mother. St Hugh worked with the labourers. On Good Friday a poor lame man, leaning on his crutches, watched the holy Bishop carrying a hod on his shoulder. (A hod is a V-shaped holder on a pole, used for cayying bricks.) In a spirit of faith, he asked permission to carry the same hod, and no sooner was it laid on his shoulder than he was cured, threw away his crutches, and walked without difficulty.

The building grew apace, a noble monument “in which every line converges towards the altar, and where every sumptuous detail invokes the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist,” a rich offering laid at the feet of Our Lady of Lincoln.


Our Lady of Lincoln. The above plan of Lincoln Cathedral compliments the image right in giving the reader an idea of the size of the building.		The splendour of the architecture which remains to Lincoln Cathedral can only give an idea of what this magnificent edifice, raised by St Hugh, and once his shrine, must have once been before its appropriation.

Always a Monk

The manifold labours of his diocese did not prevent St Hugh from remaining a simple Carthusian at heart, and as far as possible in practice. Nothing could tear him from that “inner cell which he had built in the depths of his soul by prayer and meditation.” Each year he visited the monastery at Witham, preferring the autumn, because then he found in nature much to assist him in his preparations for death. As he drew near his monastery, his heart was filled with joy, and those who watched him saw the colour come into his face and his eyes shine, for, as he said, “Nothing makes us appreciate solitude so much as the tumult of the world.”

Once with his brethren, St Hugh filled the humblest offices, and would beg bread at the refectory door. “When God shall judge us,” were his words, “He will not reproach the lost for not having been monks or solitaries, but for not having been true Christians. To be a true Christian three things are necessary — Charity in the heart, Truth on the lips, and Purity of life; if we are wanting in these, we are unworthy of the name of Christian.”

Defending the Jews

The death of Henry II and the accession of his son Richard I, in 1189, opened a period of trouble for England and for the Bishop of Lincoln. The persecution of the Jews had been greatly increased, and it needed all the courage of St Hugh to stamp out the feelings of vengeance and desire for bloodshed which had taken hold of the people, particularly in his own diocese. The extent of his beneficial influence is unquestioned, and the Jews showed their gratitude in a genuine expression of grief at his death. He would stand, forsaken by his attendants, in the centre of a mob of ruffians, brandishing swords around him, and lash with indignant words those who had drawn their weapons against him. His voice was awe-inspiring, while he expatiated upon the powerlessness of sword or coat of mail to withstand the spiritual blows with which he, who spoke in the name of the Church, could smite body and soul alike in this world and in the world to come.

Master of Kings

More than once St Hugh openly opposed the King in order to defend the rights of the Church and the prerogatives of his see. His censures and excommunications were dreaded throughout the land, and the victims on whom they fell hastened to free themselves as soon as possible. Many striking stories are told of those who had been excommunicated by the Bishop, and, who, remaining impenitent, met with a sudden death.

During the 14 years of his episcopate, St Hugh was appointed one of the Papal Delegates in every important cause that arose. A dispute had been going on between Hubert, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the monks of his Cathedral Chapter, and Pope Innocent III entrusted its settlement to St Hugh. St Hugh had strongly opposed Hubert’s measures to raise money for the King at the Oxford Assembly, and he completely won the King to his side. They parted on most friendly terms. “Truly,” said the King, “if all the prelates were like him, there is not a Prince in Christendom who would dare raise his head in the presence of a Bishop.”

But the influence of St Hugh on Richard proved but fleeting, for the King’s thirst for money soon banished any trace of a nobler side of his character. He now demanded from the Cathedral of Lincoln 12 Canons, capable of acting as his representatives at their own expense, wherever they might be sent. The enforcement of this despotic order, indignantly rejected by the Bishop of Lincoln, was placed in the hands of the Archbishop, who gave every proof of insincerity. St Hugh appealed to him in person, but, finding him determined to gratify the King, who was then in France, he decided to go and plead with him in the matter, and also for the removal of an edict he had published, ordering the officers of the treasury to seize the property of the Bishop of Lincoln.

Having sung High Mass, and tenderly bidden farewell to his Canons, St Hugh set out on his journey. He had not gone far, before he encountered a party of officers on their way to take possession of one of his manors. “Let them do their worst,” he remarked; “if they touch our goods or rather those of the Holy Mother of God, they do it at their peril;” then drawing out the end of a stole which he always wore under his mantle, he continued, “Be assured that this little strip of linen has power to bring about the restitution, to the last farthing of all they steal from us.”

St Hugh then crossed over to Normandy, and proceeded towards Angers, awaiting an opportunity to visit the King. But just when the difficulties seemed most severe, he received tidings that the King had been wounded by an arrow in the forest of Chalus, and that his end was near. St Hugh arrived at Fontevrault on Palm Sunday in time to officiate at the Solemn Requiem. Richard was buried beside his kingly father, and St Hugh remained during Holy Week to offer the Holy Sacrifice and recite the Office of the Dead for the two Sovereigns, to whom he had been so faithful a pastor and friend.

St Hugh’s return journey to Lincoln was a real triumph. Everywhere the people came in crowds to meet him and welcome him with joy. He brought to his children this time the gift of peace, which he had purchased at the cost of fatigue and many a bitter struggle.

Last days


In his last days St Hugh visited again the Grand Chartreuse. In silence and recollection, he drew near once more to the dwelling, which had been to him as the very “Gate of Heaven.”

In the autumn of this year, 1199, he went again into retreat at Witham to prepare for death, for this visit proved to be his last The day before his departure he went to every monk in his cell, humbly asking pardon for any offence he might have given. Then he bade them farewell, saying. “I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace.” During the night, while reciting the Divine Office, a bright light illuminating the west wing of the church aroused his attention. He was informed that the kitchen of the brothers’ quarters was in flames, and that their house and the church itself was in danger. Turning in the direction of the flames, St Hugh made the Sign of the Cross several times, and then prostrated himself at the foot of the altar, where he remained until the flames were extinguished. The monks knew that it was his prayers, which had delivered them.

So St Hugh left Witham for the last time. He had long felt a great desire to visit again the Grande Chartreuse. An opportunity for so doing was afforded him, for the King demanded his presence at the signing of a peace between France and England, to take place in May, 1200, at Anderly.

After the signing he set out for the Grande Chartreuse.

During his stay of three weeks, the solitude and silence he had so longed for were much interrupted by the visitors, who came from all parts to profit by his advice, and by the many old friends, who desired but to hear his voice again. They found in him no change: he was still the same simple monk who gave generously to all around, who sympathised with and comforted every mourner, and always had a kind word for all. The time for bidding farewell came, and, giving all his blessing, St Hugh left forever that home of St Bruno, of whom he was a true son.
On 9 September he set sail at Wissant, invoking, as was then the custom of sailors, the protection of St Anne. A favourable wind sprang up, and they arrived quickly at Dover, where St Hugh hastened, in spite of extreme exhaustion, to a church to celebrate Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin. This was the last Mass of his life, the final offering of that Holy Sacrifice, which he had always performed with intense devotion, and during which he had received wonderful revelations from God, though in humility he shrank from revealing them. We may here give one instance out of many.

Instructed from Heaven

Some years previously St Hugh, by the command of the Holy See, had undertaken a reform in the Church in England, and received direct encouragement from God in a Eucharistic vision. In November, 1194, a young ecclesiastic was praying in front of an altar dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, when he heard distinctly a voice saying to him: “Rise, my son, and go at once to the Bishop of Lincoln. Tell him from God that he must urgently draw the attention of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the state of the clergy in England. Reform is grievously needed, for the Divine Majesty is deeply offended by innumerable abuses. Nothing but a speedy punishment of the guilty can avert His wrath.” Full of fear, the young man thought at first the voice was the product of his own imagination, but no sooner had he begun his Psalter again, than the voice sounded the same message in his ears. Wondering how he should dare address such a message to the holy Bishop, he heard the voice say reassuringly: “He will believe you at once; you need only tell him what you will see upon the altar during the Mass on the very day you first came into his presence; that will fully confirm the truth of your message. Hesitate no longer, but do as you have been bidden.” The cleric delayed no more, and hastened to Bugden, where he found the Bishop about to say Mass. When the moment of consecration came, the young man fixed his eyes on the Bishop, and “as the man of God lifted the host a little from the altar and blest it, before pronouncing the solemn words which would convert it into the Body of Christ, he saw in the same instant a little child, very small, but of Divine beauty, resting in the Bishop’s hands.” Unable to restrain his tears, he bowed his head and adored the Infant God. The vision came a second time just before the Communion when “he beheld, under the same image as before, the Son of the Most High, born of the Virgin, offering Himself to the Father for the salvation of men.” Immediately after Mass, he went to the Bishop and told him all he had heard and seen. The Saint embraced him tenderly, and bade him speak to no one of these marvels; he further urged him to retire to a monastery that his soul, which had been favoured with such Heavenly sights, might no longer gaze on the vanity of the world.

St Hugh’s words, when speaking of the Holy Eucharist, were ever most full of devotion, and the Church honours him especially in connection with the Blessed Sacrament. In sacred art he is often represented holding a chalice with the form of the Holy Child above, for the chalice shows the source whence all his virtues sprang. It was from the altar he drew the strength of his supernatural life; it was the Bread of the strong which filled him with courage.

Preparation for death

A national council had been convoked by the Archbishop of Canterbury to be held in September, and, with the object of attending it, St Hugh journeyed to London, but on his arrival was forced to take to his bed. Many prayers were offered for his recovery, and the people of Lincoln longed for his return; but the saint knew that he would never get better, and greatly consoled them, saying, “I see clearly the terrible misfortunes which are soon to fall upon the Church in this country, and far rather would I die than be a witness of them. My beloved children in Jesus Christ, be sure that I shall always be near you, if not in body, at least in spirit. As for the restoration of my health and return to my diocese, that is in God’s hands, and I desire nothing but that His Holy Will be done.

A general confession to his chaplain did not content him, but, summoning three other priests, he accused himself in their presence with edifying candour of everything with which his conscience reproached him from the days of his childhood. No one knew better than he how to humble himself by disclosing the least stain, which could disfigure the beauty of his soul. The following day he received Holy Viaticum, and when told that the Blessed Sacrament was approaching, he insisted, weak as he was, on rising from his bed, and went barefoot, clothed in hair-shirt and Carthusian tunic and hood, to meet and adore his Lord.

He was advised to make his will, and he left whatever he appeared to possess to Our Lord in the person of the poor, and, putting on a stole, pronounced excommunication on any who should attempt to hinder his wishes from being carried out. He rejoiced to know that the bishops, at the synod at Westminster, had declared that “they looked to the Blessed Sacrament as the source of all Christian virtue, and to the Pope as the one infallible guide to all truth,” that concessions had been made to the lepers, and that many wise regulations had been drawn up for the proper administration of the sacraments.

During his illness, his physicians thought his life might be prolonged, if he could be induced to break his rule of perpetual abstinence. When the Archbishop commanded him to do so under pain of sin, St Hugh was much troubled and reminded him that he was still bound by the Carthusian Rule. But the Prior of Witham told him to have no scruple in obeying the command and St Hugh gave way in all meekness, saying, “I will not give scandal in disobeying those who have a claim upon my obedience, and I unto death.” But on no other point would the saint give way, and continued many severe austerities until the last. He never omitted, to the last, recitation of the Divine Office by day or by night.

On the night of 16 November, the holy Bishop made a sign to be lifted on to the ashes, sprinkled in the form of a Cross in accordance with his wishes on the bare floor, where he peacefully gave up his soul to God, while the priests were chanting the words of the Nunc Dimitis, “Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace.”

Funeral

On 18 November, the procession, which was to conduct his remains to Lincoln, set forth, accompanied by a vast concourse of people. On either side of the coffin rode mounted horsemen carrying lighted candles, which, though the weather was rough and stormy, remained steadily alight, bearing silent witness to a life which had ever been a “burning and a shining light.” Rich and poor alike grieved for the father they had lost, their devotion being increased by the miracles wrought on the way through the intercession of the Saint.

So great was the crowd that pressed into the chapel where his body rested at night, that in the crush a man had his arm broken. He remained in great pain throughout the night, but towards morning the saint came and touched his arm, healing it instantly, and then disappeared.

Passing through the towns of the Bishop’s own diocese, the concourse became so great, that it was with difficulty the procession made progress at all. At length came the entrance into Lincoln. The Bishops and nobles, assembled in the city, came with the Primate and two other Archbishops, 14 Bishops, and over 100 Abbots, as well as the Kings of England and Scotland with their Courts. The Saint was laid in the choir, where the body remained exposed throughout the day. Not the least striking miracle, which occurred at this time, was the beautiful aspect, which St Hugh’s body assumed after death. There was nothing corpse like about his holy remains; his arms, hands, and fingers remained as flexible as in life, while his face assumed the colour of a most beautiful rose. This appearance remained until the Saint was finally hidden from the gaze of his beloved people on Friday, 24 November. In accordance with his own wish; his body was laid near the altar of St John Baptist, where very soon pilgrims began to flock to implore his aid.

The tomb of the Saint was also the scene of many wonders, and in consequence of the general desire for his canonization, Pope Honorius II, at the request of King Henry III and the English Bishops, instituted an inquiry in the year 1212. The Bull was eventually signed in the year 1220. In 1220 a solemn translation of the relics of St Hugh took place, when the sacred remains were deposited in a costly shrine, which, in the sixteenth century, was pillaged and the relics completely scattered. Though lost to England, St Hugh has not been driven from his rest with his true family, for the Carthusians are still in possession of a particle of bone of their Saint and of a stole used by him.

A great bishop indeed, yet withal a simple monk, the sanctity of his life will not be forgotten either in England, where his Cathedral remains a lasting testimony to his greatness, or by his monks still following the Rule of St Bruno, who in the Collect for his Feast, continue to pray: “May his example spur us forward, and may his virtues enlighten our path!” †

[With thanks to Mrs Eileen Fergusson, Mrs Margaret Crowe and Mrs Edith Loughmiller
for their help in assembling these articles on the Lincoln saints.]