St. Hugh of Grenoble

St. Hugh of Grenoble (1053-1132) was a French bishop at a time when the church was suffering from a great deal of corruption and was in desperate need of reform. After only two years in office, Hugh attempted to retire to the Benedictine monastery at Cluny to spend his life in prayer but was quickly called forth by Pope Gregory VII to public ministry again. St. Hugh is also known as a mentor to St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order, because he provided Bruno with a location in Chartreuse to found his monastery. Hugh’s holiness was so evident that he was canonized only two years after his death. His feast day is April 4.

“‘Always’ is also ‘forever’ — there is no return to private life… I am not abandoning the cross, but am remaining beside the Crucified Lord in a new way… St. Benedict, whose name I bear as Pope, will be a great example to me in this. He has shown us the way for a life that, active or passive, belongs wholly to God’s work.” — Pope Benedict XVI in his farewell address

Questions for Reflection:

  • St. Hugh of Grenoble’s attempt to lay down the burden of public ministry in the Church might call to mind the recent resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Have you ever felt like the burden of your particular call was too much to bear?

  • How have you felt called both to a life of action and a life of prayer?