Catholic Saints

St. Hunger was also know as Hungerus Frisus, and was the Bishop of Utrecht from 854 to 866.  His feast day is celebrated December 22^nd, and he died in the 866.  We are not sure when he was born.  After the death of his predecessor Luidger of Utrecht, Luidger’s nephew Craft, was offered the seat.  However, Craft, a very wealthy person, refused because he was afraid that he would attract Viking raids.  

Instead the Canon, St. Hunger was appointed.  At first, his relations with the Vikings were peaceful, but eventually Utrecht was threatened by the Vikings, at which the Bishop and the entire clergy of Utrecht fled to Saint Odilienberg, near Roermond.  In 858 King Lothair II made a monastery available for them.  Later, the bishop settled in Prum and then in Deventer.  

By all accounts, St. Hunger was a Godly man, who unlike his predecessors, did not engage in nepotism.  In the case of the childless marriage between King Lotharius and his wife, he defended the sanctity of their marriage on Biblical and theological grounds.  To secure his succession, Lothair repudiated his wife and married Waldrada, with whom he had a son.  St. Hunger Died in Prum, Germany, and his feast is December 22^nd.  

Practical Take Away 

St. Hunger was a Canon, who became the Bishop of Utrecht.  He was a pious man, that had to flee with all his clergy, due to threats by the Vikings.  He fled to Saint Odilienberg, and spent his time teaching the faith to his flock.  His life as an early Saint of the Church, shows us just how hard the early Church leaders had it.  Thanks to St. Hunger and others, the Catholic Faith is alive and well for us today.