HSC Christianity Significant People Hildegard of Bingen

HSC ChristianityHSC ChristianitySignificant PeopleSignificant People

Hildegard of Hildegard of BingenBingen

German visionary, German visionary, theologian & theologian &

polymathpolymath(1098 – 1179)(1098 – 1179)

Hildegard in a nutshellHildegard in a nutshell

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was called the Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was called the ‘Sibyl of the Rhine’.‘Sibyl of the Rhine’. She was a 12 She was a 12thth century abbess century abbess who won a remarkable reputation as a visionary, who won a remarkable reputation as a visionary, writer and diplomat.writer and diplomat.

In a time when women were rarely In a time when women were rarely consulted consulted about about anything, she advised bishops, kings and the Pope anything, she advised bishops, kings and the Pope himself. She wrote major himself. She wrote major treatisestreatises on theology, on theology, natural history and the healing power of plants and natural history and the healing power of plants and animals, and was revered as a natural healer and for animals, and was revered as a natural healer and for her many visions.her many visions.

Her Her musical legacymusical legacy, consisting of original , consisting of original monophonic settings of her religious poetry, usually monophonic settings of her religious poetry, usually in honour of saints and the Virgin Mary, still has the in honour of saints and the Virgin Mary, still has the power to move those who hear it.power to move those who hear it.

Hildegard – an abridged timelineHildegard – an abridged timeline 1098 – born Bokelheim (in present West 1098 – born Bokelheim (in present West

Germany); 10Germany); 10thth child (promised to the Church) child (promised to the Church) 1106ff – raised by the anchoress Jutta in a 1106ff – raised by the anchoress Jutta in a

hermitage that later became a Benedictine hermitage that later became a Benedictine monasterymonastery

1113 – takes vows as a nun1113 – takes vows as a nun 1136 – elected head of Disibodenberg 1136 – elected head of Disibodenberg

conventconvent 1130 – begins to receive visions1130 – begins to receive visions 1138ff – writes down visions in 1138ff – writes down visions in SciviasScivias etc etc 1150 – moves to new monastery at Bingen, 1150 – moves to new monastery at Bingen,

on banks of the Rhine Riveron banks of the Rhine River 1171 – last of 4 preaching tours ends1171 – last of 4 preaching tours ends 1179 – dies aged 811179 – dies aged 81 1300s – her name begins to appear in 1300s – her name begins to appear in

martyrologiesmartyrologies 1324 – John XXII allows her cult1324 – John XXII allows her cult Today – title ‘Blessed’; efforts still ongoing to Today – title ‘Blessed’; efforts still ongoing to

achieve her canonisationachieve her canonisation Each year on 17 September – Hildegard’s Each year on 17 September – Hildegard’s

feast day; she is celebrated as a saint in the feast day; she is celebrated as a saint in the RhinelandRhineland

Remains of Disibodenberg convent – see 1136 C.E.

Hildegard’s writings – a key Hildegard’s writings – a key contribution to Christianity contribution to Christianity

Scivias (1151) Symphonia, collection of religious

songs (1158) The Book of Life’s Merits

(c.1163) The Book of Divine Works

(c.1173); also lives of local saints, various musical, scientific & medical works

The Unknown Language, & The Unknown Alphabet (both by 1158) written in a private language she had invented

By c.1158 became known as the ‘Sibyl of the Rhine’; and undertook preaching tours; her sermons had great impact but are unrecorded

Hildegard of Bingen(1098-1179) Theology

&Commentaries

Art & Illumination

Music

Medicine & Healing

Preaching tours

Science

Visions

Prophecy&

Social Justice

Hildegard – life of ‘connected knowing’Hildegard – life of ‘connected knowing’Hildegard’s contributions in a Venn diagramHildegard’s contributions in a Venn diagram

Hildegard’s contribution to Hildegard’s contribution to Christianity? (1)Christianity? (1)

explainexplain the the contribution to the contribution to the development and development and expression of expression of Christianity of Christianity of Hildegard of BingenHildegard of Bingen

Explain Explain = = relates relates cause and effectcause and effect, the , the relationship between relationship between aspects of something, aspects of something, the why and how the why and how behind itbehind it

Hildegard’s contribution – development Hildegard’s contribution – development and expression (2)and expression (2)

HILDEGARD’S HILDEGARD’S CONTRIBUTIONCONTRIBUTION

The The visionsvisions and revelations she and revelations she began to receive at the age of began to receive at the age of 3232

VisionaryVisionary writings, prophecy, writings, prophecy, leadership roles leadership roles

Expanded role of some Expanded role of some womenwomen in medieval society in medieval society

WritingsWritings and practice on and practice on medicine, plays, poetry, music medicine, plays, poetry, music and founding of two nunneries; and founding of two nunneries; plus themes of humility, plus themes of humility, obedience, & discretion obedience, & discretion

Before Hildegard, Before Hildegard, women’s women’s visionary experiencesvisionary experiences were were dismissed as linked to neurosis dismissed as linked to neurosis or disease (e.g. migraine, or disease (e.g. migraine, hysteria, anorexia nervosa, and hysteria, anorexia nervosa, and so onso on

HER EFFECT ON D’MENT HER EFFECT ON D’MENT & EXPRESSION OF & EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITYCHRISTIANITY

Women as mystics and Women as mystics and interpreters of Christianityinterpreters of Christianity

Spawned imitators such as Spawned imitators such as Brigitte of Sweden, Mechtild of Brigitte of Sweden, Mechtild of MagdeburgMagdeburg

Some trace roots of modern Some trace roots of modern feminism back to Hildegard & her feminism back to Hildegard & her lifelife

Her involvement and talents, plus Her involvement and talents, plus these writing themes challenge these writing themes challenge and inspire those today seeking and inspire those today seeking deeper spiritualitydeeper spirituality

Female mystical writings taken Female mystical writings taken seriously and not dismissed as seriously and not dismissed as ‘experiential’ or ‘hysterical’ or ‘experiential’ or ‘hysterical’ or probably written by a man?probably written by a man?

Hildegard’s contribution – Hildegard’s contribution – development and expression (3)development and expression (3)


Hildegard’s Hildegard’s life and life and contributionscontributions come to light come to light in 1950s; some accessible in 1950s; some accessible treatments in 1980s, and treatments in 1980s, and are studied closely are studied closely (Bynum, in (Bynum, in Hart & Bishop, p.1)Hart & Bishop, p.1)

Hildegard’s Hildegard’s poetry, chants poetry, chants and dramasand dramas (Ibid, pp.1-2)(Ibid, pp.1-2)

H. concerned about H. concerned about orderorder, , the abuse of authority; she the abuse of authority; she did not call for radical did not call for radical change change (Newman, in Hart & (Newman, in Hart & Bishop, p.20)Bishop, p.20)

H. zealous for H. zealous for orthodoxyorthodoxy and deeply troubled about and deeply troubled about hierarchy’s failure to act hierarchy’s failure to act against Cathars against Cathars (Ibid, pp.20-21)(Ibid, pp.20-21)

HER EFFECT ON D’MENT & HER EFFECT ON D’MENT & EXPRESSION OF CHR’TYEXPRESSION OF CHR’TY

Renewed academic interest & Renewed academic interest & credibility for women’s history credibility for women’s history & for women’s piety & & for women’s piety & theological writingstheological writings

These works by H. now These works by H. now performed in colleges & performed in colleges & churches worldwidechurches worldwide

Many of her observations still Many of her observations still relevant despite different timerelevant despite different time

As above, many observations As above, many observations still relevant re. when hierarchy still relevant re. when hierarchy acts and does not act; learning acts and does not act; learning the lessons of historythe lessons of history

Hildegard’s contribution – Hildegard’s contribution – development and expression (4)development and expression (4)


H. treatment of H. treatment of apocalypticapocalyptic; she did ; she did not envisage a near not envisage a near Second Coming; she Second Coming; she was deeply concerned was deeply concerned with the with the whole of whole of salvation historysalvation history

Her main work Her main work Scivias Scivias [vias Domini] [vias Domini] (Know the (Know the ways of the Lord) is ways of the Lord) is divided into three divided into three sections – sections – creation, creation, redemption, redemption, santificationsantification

HER EFFECT ON D’MENT & HER EFFECT ON D’MENT & EXPRESSION OF CHR’TYEXPRESSION OF CHR’TY

Her interpretations still Her interpretations still relevant; looking at all the relevant; looking at all the biblical evidencebiblical evidence

These cycles and her reflections These cycles and her reflections still influential todaystill influential today

Vision One – God enthroned: the Vision One – God enthroned: the great mountain of irongreat mountain of iron

‘‘I saw a great mountain the I saw a great mountain the colour of iron, and enthroned colour of iron, and enthroned on it One of such great glory on it One of such great glory that it blinded my sight…[the that it blinded my sight…[the mountain] symbolises the mountain] symbolises the strength and stability of the strength and stability of the eternal Kingdom of God, which eternal Kingdom of God, which no fluctuation of mutability no fluctuation of mutability can destroy, and can destroy, and the One the One enthroned upon it of such enthroned upon it of such great glory that it blinds your great glory that it blinds your sightsight is the One in the is the One in the Kingdom of Beatitude who Kingdom of Beatitude who rules the world with celestial rules the world with celestial divinity in the brilliance of divinity in the brilliance of unfading serenity, but it is unfading serenity, but it is incomprehensible to human incomprehensible to human minds’ minds’

Hildegard’s contribution Hildegard’s contribution

WE FIND THE SAINT WE FIND THE SAINT THAT SUITS OUR ERATHAT SUITS OUR ERA

……our own era has our own era has distorted distorted the the image of Hildegard the feminist, image of Hildegard the feminist, the liberationist, the ‘creation-the liberationist, the ‘creation-centred mystic’, the holistic centred mystic’, the holistic health practitioner, the prophet of health practitioner, the prophet of ecological justice ecological justice

This model has proven useful and This model has proven useful and inspiring to many, but it contains inspiring to many, but it contains a a graingrain (but only a grain) of (but only a grain) of historical truth.historical truth.

The The image of a saintimage of a saint is a work in is a work in progress and one of synergy. “A progress and one of synergy. “A saintly life is saintly life is the joint creation of the joint creation of the era that produces the saint the era that produces the saint and the era that venerates him or and the era that venerates him or her’ her’

Hildegard’s contributionHildegard’s contribution

Projection of our own agendas Projection of our own agendas – we do – we do not enter their world but project our own not enter their world but project our own concerns on to them e.g. they weren’t concerns on to them e.g. they weren’t radical enough, feminist enough radical enough, feminist enough

Concerning Hildegard, it is important to Concerning Hildegard, it is important to realise that her aim was not to eliminate realise that her aim was not to eliminate the church or its authorities but to the church or its authorities but to challenge sin and vicechallenge sin and vice

ReductionismReductionism – not recognising the – not recognising the complexities of the world in which, e.g. complexities of the world in which, e.g. Hildegard lived (not monochrome) Hildegard lived (not monochrome)

Missing the pointMissing the point – e.g. Hildegard refers – e.g. Hildegard refers to herself as ‘filth and ashes’; is her to herself as ‘filth and ashes’; is her medieval viewpoint, not low self esteem medieval viewpoint, not low self esteem or reflection of misogynyor reflection of misogyny

Over-Psychologising Over-Psychologising – applying Freud in – applying Freud in a pre-Freudian, medieval era; their focus a pre-Freudian, medieval era; their focus on sin and damnation cannot be on sin and damnation cannot be dismissed as a psychological hang-up, but dismissed as a psychological hang-up, but an essential part of their medieval an essential part of their medieval worldview (refer to Venn chart, slide 11) .worldview (refer to Venn chart, slide 11) .

The impact of Hildegard on The impact of Hildegard on Christianity? (1)Christianity? (1)

analyseanalyse the impact of the impact of Hildegard on ChristianityHildegard on Christianity

AnalyseAnalyse = = identify identify components and the components and the relationship between relationship between components; draw out components; draw out and relate implicationsand relate implications

Looks at the relationship Looks at the relationship between Hildegard and between Hildegard and Christianity, including Christianity, including her impact on her impact on ChristianityChristianity

Hildegard’s (long term) impact on Hildegard’s (long term) impact on Christianity? Paradox & ambivalence (2)Christianity? Paradox & ambivalence (2)

Sense of Sense of inferiorityinferiority as a female, as a female, yet fierce castigation of clergyyet fierce castigation of clergy

Women Women prohibitedprohibited from holding from holding priestly office, & usually forbidden priestly office, & usually forbidden to preach or act as a spiritual to preach or act as a spiritual counsellor. Also cut off from new counsellor. Also cut off from new scholastic education of the time; scholastic education of the time; yet H. preached on long tours yet H. preached on long tours (begun when she was 60) and (begun when she was 60) and advised Popesadvised Popes

H very free in her artistic H very free in her artistic expression yet limited in her expression yet limited in her acceptance of wealthy women into acceptance of wealthy women into her convent (class restrictions)her convent (class restrictions)

H’s writings are H’s writings are not devotionalnot devotional; ; in reading them we in reading them we do not feel do not feel but ‘see’;but ‘see’; she uses her visions as she uses her visions as exegetical or teaching tools exegetical or teaching tools


Occupies a Occupies a central central placeplace at the crossroads of at the crossroads of twelfth century religious & twelfth century religious & secular culturesecular culture

Rich heritageRich heritage reflected reflected in her writings still in her writings still continues to inspire – continues to inspire – Bible, liturgy, Benedictine Bible, liturgy, Benedictine Rule, Church Fathers, plus Rule, Church Fathers, plus rich oral tradition rich oral tradition

Influence of classical Influence of classical Benedictine theology and Benedictine theology and her her ‘unique voice’‘unique voice’ – – prophetic mission, original prophetic mission, original poetic gifts, and her poetic gifts, and her feminine self-awareness feminine self-awareness


Finally, Hildegard was the Finally, Hildegard was the classical ‘twelfth-century classical ‘twelfth-century Renaissance woman before Renaissance woman before the Renaissance’the Renaissance’

Her Her greatest impactgreatest impact was her was her systematic review of Christian systematic review of Christian doctrine, scientific & doctrine, scientific & cosmological interests, her cosmological interests, her deep learning, her unique still, deep learning, her unique still, her brilliant use of symbols, her her brilliant use of symbols, her artistic gifts in poetry, music artistic gifts in poetry, music and dramaand drama

In short, it is the In short, it is the complexitycomplexity, , variety and sheer intellectual variety and sheer intellectual difficulty of H’s opus that marks difficulty of H’s opus that marks her uniquenessher uniqueness


THEOLOGY OF HOLY SPIRITTHEOLOGY OF HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit, giving life to all life, Holy Spirit, giving life to all life,

moving all creatures, moving all creatures, root of all things, root of all things, washing them clean, washing them clean, wiping out their mistakes, wiping out their mistakes, healing their wounds, healing their wounds, you are our true life, you are our true life, luminous, wonderful, luminous, wonderful, awakening the heart awakening the heart from its ancient sleep from its ancient sleep Wrote Wrote Physica Physica (Natural Sciences), (Natural Sciences), the first book by a women which the first book by a women which discusses plants, trees and herbs discusses plants, trees and herbs in relation to their medicinal in relation to their medicinal properties properties


DERMATOLOGYDERMATOLOGY Probably the first woman to Probably the first woman to

write about skin diseases write about skin diseases and their therapies. Her and their therapies. Her book book Causae et curae Causae et curae (Holistic healing) covers (Holistic healing) covers forms of leprosy, scabies, forms of leprosy, scabies, lice, insect bites, burns, etclice, insect bites, burns, etc

Healing through the skin Healing through the skin also plays an important role also plays an important role – e.g. remedies for diseases; – e.g. remedies for diseases; uses rubbings, baths, uses rubbings, baths, warming, sauna, cupping, warming, sauna, cupping, etc etc

Vineyards on the hillside of Bingen

One key artwork or illumination One key artwork or illumination from Hildegard (1)from Hildegard (1)

Book Two, Vision TwoBook Two, Vision Two

Trinity (Man in Sapphire Blue)Trinity (Man in Sapphire Blue) ‘‘Then I saw a bright light, and in Then I saw a bright light, and in

this light the figure of a man the this light the figure of a man the colour of a sapphire, which was colour of a sapphire, which was all blazing with a gentle glowing all blazing with a gentle glowing fire. And that bright light bathed fire. And that bright light bathed the whole of the glowing fire, the whole of the glowing fire, and the glowing fire bathed the and the glowing fire bathed the bright light; and the bright light bright light; and the bright light and glowing fire poured over the and glowing fire poured over the whole human figure, so that the whole human figure, so that the three were one light in one three were one light in one power of potential’power of potential’


Book Two, Vision TwoBook Two, Vision Two

Trinity (Man in Sapphire Blue)Trinity (Man in Sapphire Blue) Blue = compassion, colour of water Blue = compassion, colour of water

flowing through a compassionate flowing through a compassionate cosmoscosmos

‘‘Blue Christ’ = entrance of Blue Christ’ = entrance of Compassion into our world, Compassion into our world, revelation of ‘maternal love of the revelation of ‘maternal love of the embracing God’embracing God’

Hands = extended in compassion, Hands = extended in compassion, healing, assistinghealing, assisting

Body within circles of energyBody within circles of energy Opening at top of man’s head and Opening at top of man’s head and

the flow of energythe flow of energy Pulsating energy = rope, waves, Pulsating energy = rope, waves,

energy/fire of Holy Spirit binding all energy/fire of Holy Spirit binding all creation creation (Marie Farrell, CIS notes; Hickam & Griffin, (Marie Farrell, CIS notes; Hickam & Griffin, p.64ff; Hart & Bishop, p.161ff)p.64ff; Hart & Bishop, p.161ff)


Book Two, Vision TwoBook Two, Vision TwoTrinity (Man in Sapphire Blue)Trinity (Man in Sapphire Blue) Mandala = Holy Trinity: ‘Just as Mandala = Holy Trinity: ‘Just as

a circle embraces all within it, so a circle embraces all within it, so does the Godhead embrace all’; does the Godhead embrace all’; Bright light = Father; Blue figure Bright light = Father; Blue figure = Son; glowing fire = Holy Spirit= Son; glowing fire = Holy Spirit

‘‘God hugs you. You are God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the encircled by the arms of the mystery of God’mystery of God’

Blue trinitarian figure Blue trinitarian figure symbolises both Wisdom and symbolises both Wisdom and CompassionCompassion

Challenges us to be transformed Challenges us to be transformed to become other Christs, to to become other Christs, to personify compassion personify compassion

Key musical compositions from Hildegard (1)Key musical compositions from Hildegard (1)

O viridissima virga O viridissima virga (Hail, greenest stem)(Hail, greenest stem)

Hail, greenest stem, Hail, greenest stem, which in the windy breeze of which in the windy breeze of the prayers of the saints the prayers of the saints was brought forth. was brought forth. Since the time has come Since the time has come when you flourished when you flourished amongst your fronds, amongst your fronds, hail, hail to youhail, hail to you

Key musical compositions from Hildegard (2)Key musical compositions from Hildegard (2)

Laus TrinitatiLaus Trinitati Praise to the TrinityPraise to the Trinity

which is the character, which is the character, life, and creator of all life, and creator of all living things.living things.And which is the praise And which is the praise of the crowd of angelsof the crowd of angelsand the wondrous and the wondrous splendour of secretssplendour of secretsunknown to humanity,unknown to humanity,and which is life to alland which is life to all

(Revelations, 2001, Track 4)(Revelations, 2001, Track 4)

Some key passages from the Some key passages from the writings of Hildegard (1)writings of Hildegard (1)

HER FIRST VISION / HER FIRST VISION / ILLUMINATIONILLUMINATION

‘‘And it came to pass…when I And it came to pass…when I was 42 years and 7 months was 42 years and 7 months old, that the heavens were old, that the heavens were opened and a blinding light of opened and a blinding light of exceptional brilliance flowed exceptional brilliance flowed through my entire brain. And through my entire brain. And so it kindled my whole heart so it kindled my whole heart and breast like a flame. Not and breast like a flame. Not burning but warming…and burning but warming…and suddenly I understood the suddenly I understood the meaning and expression of the meaning and expression of the books [religious texts that she books [religious texts that she had been reading] had been reading] ((Scivias – ‘the Scivias – ‘the one who knows the ways of the Lord’)one who knows the ways of the Lord’)

Hildegard – key passages (2)Hildegard – key passages (2)VIRIDITY* (GREENESS)VIRIDITY* (GREENESS) O, most noble viridity,O, most noble viridity,

You who have root in the sun,You who have root in the sun,You shine in the limpid brightness,You shine in the limpid brightness,In the movement of a wheelIn the movement of a wheelWhich escapes human intelligence.Which escapes human intelligence.You, viridity, are envelopedYou, viridity, are envelopedIn the force of the heavenly In the force of the heavenly mysteries.mysteries.You redden like the dawn,You redden like the dawn,You blaze in the ardor of the sun,You blaze in the ardor of the sun,O, most noble viridity.O, most noble viridity.((SciviasScivias III,III,vis.13, c,7,CM43; cited in vis.13, c,7,CM43; cited in Brunn & Epiney-Burgard, p.36)Brunn & Epiney-Burgard, p.36)

* Viriditas = * Viriditas = a germinative, creative a germinative, creative force, found at all levels of divine and force, found at all levels of divine and earthly life; the radiant splendour of earthly life; the radiant splendour of God sustaining all things in being.God sustaining all things in being.

Hildegard – key passages (4)Hildegard – key passages (4)

DIVINE PROVIDENCE & DIVINE PROVIDENCE & PROPHECYPROPHECY

‘‘I am but a feather upon I am but a feather upon the breath of God’the breath of God’

Hildegard called her Hildegard called her voice ‘a small sound of voice ‘a small sound of the trumpet from the the trumpet from the living Light’living Light’

‘‘The living light says: the The living light says: the paths of the scriptures paths of the scriptures lead directly to the high lead directly to the high mountain…’mountain…’

Hildegard setback - ‘Did you know?’ (1)Hildegard setback - ‘Did you know?’ (1)

‘‘When the University of When the University of Paris (the first Paris (the first

university in the university in the world) opened its world) opened its

doors in 1150, doors in 1150, Hildegard travelled Hildegard travelled

there in order to there in order to bequeath her books bequeath her books and manuscripts to and manuscripts to

the university. the university.

They were rejected They were rejected because she was a because she was a

woman’woman’


‘‘For the first 42 years of her For the first 42 years of her life (1098-1140), Hildegard life (1098-1140), Hildegard led a sheltered existence, led a sheltered existence, much of it within the walls of much of it within the walls of a monastery.’ In 1148 (aged a monastery.’ In 1148 (aged 50) after the Synod of Trier, 50) after the Synod of Trier, her visions were encouraged her visions were encouraged and she began more actively and she began more actively to write, preach, counsel, and to write, preach, counsel, and record her visions. She record her visions. She completed her final preaching completed her final preaching tour in 1171 (aged 73) tour in 1171 (aged 73) (Atherton, xiii-xv)(Atherton, xiii-xv)


In Hildegard’s time In Hildegard’s time most women were most women were considered illiterate considered illiterate (couldn’t write or read (couldn’t write or read Latin). Hildegard broke Latin). Hildegard broke the stereotype of the stereotype of women not writing and women not writing and merely adopting a merely adopting a prophetic role. She prophetic role. She expanded in all [new] expanded in all [new] areas of endeavour areas of endeavour (cf. Atherton, p.xxii)(cf. Atherton, p.xxii)

Hildegard setback - ‘Did you know?’ (4)Hildegard setback - ‘Did you know?’ (4)Hildegard the writer of Hildegard the writer of parablesparables‘‘Listen now, a king sat on his Listen now, a king sat on his throne, high pillars before him…throne, high pillars before him…[the pillars] showed the king’s [the pillars] showed the king’s vestments in great honour vestments in great honour everywhere. Then the king chose everywhere. Then the king chose to lift a small feather from the to lift a small feather from the ground, and he commanded it to ground, and he commanded it to fly just as the king himself wishes. fly just as the king himself wishes. But a feather does not fly of its own But a feather does not fly of its own accord; it is borne up by the air. So accord; it is borne up by the air. So too I am not imbued with human too I am not imbued with human doctrine or strong powers. Nor do I doctrine or strong powers. Nor do I desire good bodily health. Rather, I desire good bodily health. Rather, I depend entirely on God’s help’depend entirely on God’s help’(Atherton, p.xxvi; re. ‘feather’ see also Slide (Atherton, p.xxvi; re. ‘feather’ see also Slide 39)39)

Goodbye HildegardGoodbye Hildegard

Additional Hildegard imagesAdditional Hildegard images

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