It was the time when countries known today as France and Belgium were still taking shape. Once upon a time, Hubertus, a king’s page, immersed himself in a hunt, as usual, and suddenly found himself on a side path... He followed it. All at once, he saw a white stag from afar. He was so excited that he wanted to scream, but he contained himself and followed the stag’s bright silhouette. The dogs took fright and stopped barking. Hubertus hesitated and considered turning back, but curiosity and the will to fight took over him. The stag was stunningly beautiful and apparently it was no phantom of the forest. As Hubertus entered a clearing, the stag stopped abruptly and turned his eyes on him. The hunter reached for an arrow, but then he met the animal’s gaze. Its eyes were so moving that he thought he heard a voice: “Why are you chasing me?” Only then did Hubertus notice a shining cross between the stag’s antlers. He stared in the eyes of the stag until it turned away soundlessly and disappeared among the trees. Hubertus got off his horse and stood there, lost for words. “Why are you chasing me?” – the voice echoed in his head.
St. Hubertus was made the patron of riders and hunters, although (or because) he gave up hunting for good after what happened to him. What does the white stag in this story mean? Is it just a beautiful daydream? The legend of St. Hubertus is so mysterious and ambiguous that until today it evokes people’s curiosity and encourages them to ponder searching their own path – their own place in the world...