Mass in Honor of Saint Hubert

The custom of the Hubertus Mass dates back to the Middle Ages. Beginning in the 16th and 17th centuries, the liturgical music was performed on brass horns, which were also used as hunting signals at that time.

The melodies of the traditional Hubertus Mass and many of the fanfares and marches are over 300 years old. Passed down mostly orally, they were most widely spread in France and Belgium. The first written versions emerged there at the end of the 19th century.

According to tradition, Hubert (655–727) was a reckless and passionate hunter in his youth. The act of killing game was an end in itself for him, and no one could prevent him from pursuing his passion without restraint. One day, he encountered a stag with a glowing cross between its antlers. This event is said to have led Hubertus to the realization that hunting cannot be an end in itself, but must be understood as a service to nature involving far-reaching responsibility. “Respect for all creatures” became part of the hunters’ code of conduct as “fair game.” Hubertus devoted the rest of his life to the Church, rose to become Bishop of Liège, and was canonized after his death.

On November 3, 743, his remains were transferred to Andagium in the Ardennes. The monastery there has borne his name ever since.

The Brandenburg Parforce Horn Players of Berlin are a group of hunters, riders, and dog handlers who have been playing the parforce horn in E-flat for more than 40 years. Inspired by the sound of the horn, they cultivate and preserve hunting traditions through their fanfares and marches.

Their repertoire encompasses the full range of the parforce horn’s capabilities. They perform at St. Hubert’s Masses, on hunts, horseback hunts, and hunters’ balls, and give festive concerts in churches.