St Hugh's Day 17th November

 St Hugh's Day

On St Hugh’s Day, when the congregations of the Parish of Leesfield would usually gather in the school hall for a celebratory Eucharist, our thoughts and prayers are with all the children, staff and families of St Hugh’s School. We miss the singing of their brilliant choir, and look forward to joining them next year for a wonderful service of music and prayer.

The school had a lovely Zoom assembly led by Curate Amy to celebrate, and were joined by Bishop Mark.

St Hugh of Lincoln Prayer

O holy God, you endowed your servant and bishop Hugh of Lincoln with wise and cheerful boldness, and taught him to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes. 

Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of your mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of you, may be bold to speak the truth in love, 

in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, 

Amen

St Hugh was canonised by Pope Honorius III in February 1220. That is almost 800 years ago. He is the patron saint of sick children, sick people, shoemakers and swans.  Yes, I said shoemakers and swans!! And he is honoured on the nearest Sunday to November 17th. So today we shall honour him in prayer and praise as we would normally do each year at St Hugh’s School.

So what  will we talk about here then?  Well of the 4 things St Hugh was Patron Saint of, there are 2 obvious ones in respect of biblical teachings – Sick Children and Sick People.

We can all recall what Jesus did for sick children and sick people.

Yes, you’re correct, he helped heal the sick on many occasions in the bible. There are over 40 verses in the bible of Jesus healing - the paralysed, crippled, mute, lame, blind, cleansed a leper and general illnesses.  There are so many we can talk about. However, it is worth mentioning that, like Jesus, St. Hugh especially loved outcasts and oppressed people.  Contrary to most others then, and probably some now, who avoided or would avoid literally "like the plague", St Hugh compassionately reached out to those afflicted with leprosy, to the sick, and to the poor.  He would wash and dry the lepers' feet, sit with them, teach them, console and encourage them, and embrace and kiss them one by one – very Jesus like I think…don’t you?

Now, of course we could concentrate on Shoemakers. Well we could if there was an abundance of verses around Shoemakers but to be honest there aren’t many at all. However, there are more verses which are shall we say ‘anti-shoemakers’ in that there are many teachings around ‘taking off your shoes’ or in those days, sandals and indeed walking barefoot.  In the Book of Exodus Ch 3 verse 5 Moses was told to take off his shoes. God said “Do not come near here, remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground”. This happens across the globe today across many religions but just imagine being asked to take your shoes and socks off as you enter church as our wonderful Churches could be seen as the same holy ground has walked on by Moses. 

It might surprise you to hear that on our St Hugh celebration I am actually going to look at the Swan.

At this point you might want to find on the internet or elsewhere the large swan picture which is taken from a stained-glass window at Lincoln Cathedral.  The legend goes that Hugh, a good monk who wanted peace and silence would often hang out at one of his get-aways at Stow Park, about nine miles northwest of Lincoln. He loved the company of birds and other wildlife and nature.  At around the time of Hugh's enthronement as Bishop, a swan -- a BIG swan -- appeared on the lake and immediately proceeded to drive off all the other lake inhabitants. Besides being big, he was also mean and ferocious.  Hugh's staff, for some reason, wanted to present the massive swan to Hugh, and for unexplained reasons the Swan allowed itself to be captured. We're told that upon his arrival in Hugh's presence the swan ate bread from his hand with ease and satisfaction.  After that, the swan and Hugh were seemingly best of friends. Only when Hugh would take off for his pastoral visitations would the Swan head back to the lake and wreak its usual havoc on others, human and animal. Whenever Hugh would return from his trips, there would be the swan waiting for him.  The swan seemed to feel like he was Hugh's bodyguard, the swan jealously threatened anyone who came near Hugh, even his companions, with beak and wings and a shrieking cry. If a person managed to get on the Swan's enemy list, only Hugh's direct order would move the bird to tolerate that person and not attack them!  

The swan apparently had the most amazing long-term memory, as good or better than an elephant’s.  One time Hugh had to be away for two whole years.  No one else knew when he'd return, except for his Swan who somehow sensed it on some inner radar. He squawked and cried so loudly just prior to Hugh's appearance at Stow Park in Lincoln.   He greeted his master with outspread wings, then disappeared into the house with Hugh to stay with him, munching on his daily portion of bread, cut up into a finger's length, we're told. Their friendship lasted for 15 years.

Apparently, six months before Hugh's death, the swan fell into a deep depression which I guess could be possible for even a swan, and for the first time upon Hugh's arrival at Stow Park, the swan made no sign of recognition or greeting and stayed out in the middle of the lake.  After several days it allowed itself to be captured and brought into the house, but it stood around, listless, dejected, and, well...sad.  That visit was the last time Hugh and the swan saw one another, for Hugh died in London on November 17, 1200.

The swan outlived St. Hugh by several years, but never cozied up to anyone else as a friend.  We don't know what Hugh called the swan during his lifetime: some simply refer to it as "The Swan of Stow".   Nevertheless, it has attained historical notoriety and fame, along with its master, through sculpture, painting, and writing…and of course the stained-glass window.  

For me, this is a companionship and love for each other not dissimilar to the love given to us all by our Lord God.  The Swan loved Hugh unconditionally and Hugh the same with the swan. God loves us all without any conditions, like the swan was there for Hugh, God is always there for us.  I suppose you could say God is our Swan of Stow, our guardian for all of our lives.

Neil

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