ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER
Saints celebrated on the 16th of December
BLESSED HUMBERT OF SAVOY, PRINCE AND RELIGIOUS
This Prince Humbert of Savoy, born in 1136 at the Castle of Avigliana in Piedmont, succeeded his father Amadeus III in 1149 (according to Pierer* in 1148) in the government of Savoy. Since he was still a minor, and his mother died early, and his father was called away on crusade, Bishop Amatus of Lausanne supervised the prince's education, and because his father died on the return journey from the Holy Land, Amatus had to take over the regency as well.
After Blessed Humbert came of age, he wielded the reins of government with wisdom and justice, brave in war, severe to criminals, merciful to penitents, loyal to the King of kings. After a while, after putting the kingdom in order, he retired to the monastery of Haute-Combe (Alta Cumba).
Later, when the enemy invaded the country, he left his solitude, chased the intruders away with arms, and returned to the monastery. When it was presented to him that the absence of an heir to the throne would most certainly mean that the country could be plunged into war and unrest, he left the monastery once again, married and received an heir to the throne from his virtuous wife. Some time later, in order to resume his monastic life, he obtained the consent of his wife, and went back to live at Haute-Combe.
From now on, nothing interrupted his stay there, except death. He left the earthly crown to his son Thomas I on March 4, 1188. Pope Gregory XVI, in 1838, confirmed the veneration shown to Humbert since his death. The diocese of Lausanne-Geneva celebrates his feast on March 13. Migne* lists Humbert on March 4. Bucelin* mentions him on December 16.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 798-99)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed Humbert may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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