St. Hugh of Lincoln

As a Carthusian monk of the Grande Chartreuse, near Grenoble, France, Hugh observed the rule of his order with exceptional fidelity. He also manifested a touching affection for the squirrels and birds that frequented the small garden adjoining his monastic cell. Hugh was subsequently sent to England to govern a new Carthusian monastery at Witham. In 1186 he was chosen to become bishop of the English diocese of Lincoln. He showed himself a faithful pastor while continuing the deep spiritual life he had developed as a Carthusian. Every Saturday, he went to confession and celebrated a votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was fastidious in the faithful celebration of the Divine Office, immediately leaving whatever he was doing when the time came to begin the office. On one occasion when a fellow bishop wanted to hurry the celebration of Mass in order to be on time for a meeting with the English king, Hugh insisted upon celebrating it in the usual manner, with the accustomed chanting. He told the other bishop: "We must do homage first to the King of kings. No secular employment can dispense us from what we owe to him."