Hildegard of BingenA Visionary for Her Time

BiographyBorn in Bermersheim, Germany, 1098Wealthy family of nobilityAs the 10th child, she was pledged to the church as an infant.She was sent to Disibodenberg Monastery at the age of 8.Hildegard was mentored by a nun, Jutta. https://

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Who was Hildegard?▪ Benedictine nun▪ Theologian ▪ Visionary▪ Scientist▪ Composer▪ Exorcist▪ Author

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Chronology of Hildegard’s Life▪ 1098 Hildegard born at Bermersheim in diocese of Mainz.▪ 1106 Entrusted to care of anchoress Jutta of Spanheim, who

lived enclosed at Disibodenberg Benedictine monastery.

▪ 1136 Jutta died, Hildegard became head of small convent of nuns at Disibodenberg.

▪ 1141 A compelling vision persuaded Hildegard to write what she saw and heard. This began the Scivias – her first great theological work.

▪ 1147 Pope Eugenius III declared Hildegard’s work to be divinely inspired and authorized her to continue recording her visions.

Chronology of Hildegard▪ 1150 Hildegard moved her convent to Rupertsberg, on the

Rhine.▪ 1151-8Natural History and Causes and Cures written. ▪ 1151 Opposes removal of Richardis. ▪ 1158-62 Extended illness, and also started first preaching tour.▪ 1158 – 1174 More books and tours taken▪ 1165 Founded a second community at Eibingen▪ 1179 Died September 17, 1179

Challenges Faced

Physical – migraines, fiery visions

Lack of educationWoman – not many privileges,

rights, or education available.

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Accomplishments of HildegardAn Author

▪ Scivias – 10 yrs to write▪ Books on medicine and natural

science▪ Books on religion, saints, visions▪ Developed an alternative alphabet▪ Composed religious songs and

chants

An Advisor

▪ Kings, bishops▪ Encouraged reform▪ Condemned corruption▪ Wrote many letters to give counsel

Accomplishments of Hildegard

▪ Traveled a lot, started tour of Europe in 1155

▪ Founded two monasteries▪ Accounts of healing miracles

Visions of HildegardEgg of the Universe

In this vision, she shows the universe as a cosmic egg. ” An egg is also a symbol of life, and for Hildegard the Universe is living, renewing, and creating. Gold is also associated with fire, which brings warmth and also sustains life. The colors here speak of a vibrant universe pulsating with life.

Sophia: Mother Wisdom, Mother Church

An image of life-giving power is Ecclessia or Sophia, the Church and wisdom of God. Both are feminine images. The color blue is very prominent, which also recalls the sea. The apostles were fishermen and Sophia almost looks like a mermaid here. Blue is a soft, gentle color associated with the ocean, from which comes life and which has so many Christian connotations.

Hildegard the Saint▪ Although the history of her

formal consideration is complicated, she has been recognized as a saint by branches of the Roman Catholic Church for centuries. On 7 October 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named her a Doctor of the Church. https://elrincondesofista.wordpress.co

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A Woman in the 12th Century

▪ How did a woman in the 12th century become a respected authority and writer on many subjects?

▪ How did she overcome factors that suppressed women?

God is Divine▪ She was placed with a woman, Jutta, and assisted by a monk, Volmar

that accepted her visions and helped get word to the Pope Eugenius III.

▪ Pope Eugenius III accepted her writings as divinely inspired and requested her to continue writing.

▪ Her illnesses actually gave credibility to her visions.▪ She was given the faith to believe that her visions were from God.

A Woman with a Vision and a

Purpose

Hildegard purposed to stir up consciousness, oppose godlessness, and present the divine love of God to all.

Sources

The Life of the Saintly Hildegard. Translated, with notes, by Hugh Feiss, osb. Ontario: Peregrina Publishing Co., 1996. [BX4700.H5 G613 1996]Hildegard of Bingen. Secrets of God. Selected and Translated by Sabina Flanagan. Massachusetts: Shambhala Publications, 1996. [BX4700.H5 A25 1996]Flanagan, Sabina. Hildegard of Bingen, a Visionary Life. Second Edition. New York: Routledge, 1998. [BX4700.H5 F54 1998]