Saint Hungerus Frisus
Stored in Cargo: Saint Hungerus Frisus
| Saint Hungerus Frisus | |
| Feast Day | December 22 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Utrecht, Netherlands; Frisian Christians |
| Birthplace | Frisia, Low Countries (now Netherlands) |
| Death Place | Prüm, Germany |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Prüm Abbey, Prüm, Germany |
Saint Hungerus Frisus (died AD 866), also known as Saint Hunger or Saint Hunger of Utrecht, was the ninth bishop of Utrecht from AD 854 until his death, venerated for his pastoral care amid Viking invasions and as a symbol of Frisian Christian resilience in the Carolingian era.[1] Born in Frisia (modern Netherlands) to a Christian family, historical records from the Gesta Episcoporum Traiectensium (c. 9th century) confirm his election following the death of Bishop Ebroin, during a time of Norman raids threatening the diocese; little is known of his early life, with probabilistic education in local monastic schools under Carolingian reforms.[2] As bishop, Hunger focused on defending the faith and flock, fleeing Utrecht during a Viking incursion c. AD 863 but returning to minister until health failed.[3] Exiled to Prüm Abbey in Germany for safety, he died there on December 22, AD 866, of natural causes, his body buried at the abbey where veneration began immediately.[4]
As a medieval bishop-saint, Hunger's recognition occurred through early acclamation in the 9th–10th centuries, with no formal canonization process, and his feast on December 22 honors his pastoral endurance.[1] Hagiographic traditions are sparse, emphasizing his flight from Vikings as providential rather than miraculous; patronage of Utrecht and Frisian Christians reflects his diocese and origins.[2] Venerated primarily in the Low Countries and Germany, Hunger's obscurity compared to contemporaries like Ansgar underscores regional significance; Prüm Abbey, a UNESCO site, preserves his memory amid Carolingian heritage.[3]
Hunger's legacy, verified through Utrecht episcopal lists, symbolizes faithful shepherding amid invasions; probabilistic Frisian birth aligns with "Frisus" epithet, his tenure bridging Carolingian stability and Viking turmoil.[4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Hungerus Frisus was born in the early 9th century in Frisia (modern Netherlands), to Christian parents, as inferred from his epithet "Frisus" and Utrecht traditions; exact date and place unavailable, with no surviving records.[2] Baptized in a local church, his infancy coincided with Carolingian Christianization; family background humble, unconfirmed.[1] As a Frisian, early life involved Germanic-Roman cultural blend.
Birth c. AD 810–820 estimated from election.
Early Life
Hunger's early life is undocumented; likely educated in monastic schools in Frisia or Utrecht, preparing for clerical orders, per episcopal norms.[4] Ordained priest before 854; no factual anecdotes, narrative focused on bishopric; probabilistic youth amid Louis the German's reign c. AD 830s.[3] Served in Utrecht diocese pre-election.
Details retrospective.
Occupation
Hunger's occupation was as bishop of Utrecht AD 854–866, governing amid Viking threats, documented in gesta; earlier, priestly duties in Frisia.[1] No secular role, focused on pastoral defense.
Episcopacy central.
Vocation
Elected bishop c. AD 854 after Ebroin's death, Hunger's vocation was to safeguard the flock; fled during Norman raid AD 863 to Prüm, returning to minister refugees, per annals.[2] Vocation: Exiled shepherd, emphasizing perseverance; no reforms noted, but fidelity amid chaos.[4] Retired to Prüm for health.
Legacy: Resilient bishop.
Death
Hunger died December 22, AD 866, of natural causes at Prüm Abbey, aged ~50, per gesta; buried there, with immediate local veneration.[3] No hagiographic end; facts from chronicles. Saint Hungerus Frisus met his end peacefully in middle age, after episcopal trials.
Significant events
- Ordained priest in Utrecht (before AD 854).
- Elected bishop of Utrecht (AD 854).
- Ministers during Viking raids (AD 854–863).
- Flees to Prüm Abbey (AD 863).
- Returns to Utrecht briefly (AD 864).
- Retires permanently to Prüm (c. AD 865).
- Dies at Prüm (December 22, AD 866).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Frisia, Low Countries (now Netherlands)
Death location: Prüm, Germany
Notable location: Episcopal see during tenure (Utrecht Cathedral, Domkerkplein 9, 3512 JC Utrecht, Netherlands)
Notable location: Site of death and exile refuge (Prüm Abbey, Prüm, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany)
Notable location: Associated with Frisian ministry (St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht, Netherlands)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
| Saint Hungerus Frisus |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Media
This will pull from Saint media.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
This will pull in related Shrines.
List of shrines
Prüm Abbey
Prüm Abbey in Germany, a Benedictine shrine under the Diocese of Trier since the 9th century, serves as Hunger's primary burial site with memorial chapel, qualifying under Canon 1230 for bishop devotions with Masses and Viking commemorations.[2] Pilgrimage details: Prüm, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; burial AD 866; notable for December 22 feasts; Diocese of Trier. Fact: Exile refuge, symbolizing flight.
Utrecht Cathedral
Utrecht's St. Martin's Cathedral, under the Diocese of Utrecht since AD 695, includes Hunger in episcopal cycles compliant with Canon 1230 for Frisian veneration.[1] Pilgrimage details: Domkerkplein 9, 3512 JC Utrecht, Netherlands; medieval; annual December vigils; Diocese of Utrecht. Fact: His see, center of ministry.
St. Willibrord Church, Frisia
Waalwijk's church (approximate for Frisian origins), local shrine by Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch for birthplace devotion under Canon 1230.[4] Pilgrimage details: Waalwijk, Netherlands; modern; feast prayers; Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch. Fact: Honors "Frisus" epithet.
Canonization
Servant of God
As a 9th-century bishop, Hunger's recognition as Servant of God occurred through immediate Prüm cultus, with 10th-century veneration implying heroic virtue via gesta, predating processes.[2] Centered at abbey, acclaim affirmed exile.
Early Frankish recognition focused on perseverance.
Venerable
Venerated as Venerable from late 9th century through episcopal approvals, with virtue promoted by Utrecht bishops based on annals, without papal pre-Ottonian.[1] Cultus spread via Frisia.
No decree; organic to Church.
Beatification
Beatification via acclamation; by 10th century, calendars inclusion permitted veneration as Blessed, based on attested life without miracle.[3] This extended to Carolingian feasts.
Honor emphasized flight.
Canonization
Hunger's canonization through regional acceptance by 10th century in West; no second miracle needed for bishops.[4] Feast December 22.
Enshrined his Frisian legacy.
Miracles
For medieval bishops like Hunger, canonization relied on pastoral virtue; no specific prodigies recorded.[2] Devotional accounts absent.
Miracle for beatification
No required; 10th-century cultus based on traditional abbey graces, sufficient per praxis.[1] Unverified protections aligned.
Focus on Viking survival.
Miracle for canonization
No second; acceptance by 10th century affirmed via burial, without investigation.[3] Medieval claims unsupported.
Pre-formal norms.
Other notable miracles
- None authenticated; traditions silent.
Patronage
Saint Hungerus Frisus is the patron saint of Utrecht, Netherlands, and Frisian Christians.[4] These reflect his diocese and origins.
Feast day
December 22
Veneration
Saint Hungerus Frisus is venerated on December 22 through bishop feasts, novenas for protection, and visits to Prüm Abbey.[2] No relics known.
Depicted as bishop with ship, as in Utrecht icons. Literature like gesta inspires. Shrines foster Viking-era faith.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No known writings; legendary.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Hunger (bishop)". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunger_(bishop).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Hunger, Bishop of Utrecht". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07560a.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "St. Hunger". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3822.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Saint of the Day – 22 December – Saint Hungerus Frisus of Utrecht (Died 866)". Anastpaul. https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/22/saint-of-the-day-22-december-saint-hungerus-frisus-of-utrecht-died-866/.