Hugh of Grenoble

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Painting from the Carthusian cloister of Nuestra Señora de las Cuevas a Triana by Francisco de Zurbarán. The scene depicts Saint Hugh in a Carthusian monastery.

Saint Hugh of Grenoble (1052 - 1132) is a Christian saint who was bishop of Grenoble.

He was born at Châteauneuf and showed extraordinary piety and theological facility even from youngest age. While still a layman, he was made a canon of Valence. His piety was such that it was said of him that he only knew one woman by sight. At a council at Avignon in 1080, he was elected bishop of Grenoble, despite his being non-ordained. The see of Grenoble had fallen to a very poor state, and Hugh was selected for its reform. The papal legate took Hugh to Rome, where he was ordained by Pope Pius VII. Upon his return to France, he immediately began reforming the abuses in his new diocese.

When he had succeeded in countering abuse and fostering devotion after two years, he tried to resign his bishopric and enter the Benedictine monastery at Cluny. However, the Pope ordered him to continue his episcopal work. When Saint Bruno and his six followers sought aid in retiring from the world, they turned to Hugh, and Hugh gave them the Grande Chartreuse in 1084 for their house.

He was canonized in 1134 by Pope Innocent II, only two years after his death. His feast day is April 1 in the Roman Catholic Church.