St. Hildegard of Bingen
St. Hildegard of Bingen was the abbess of a German Benedictine convent and an extraordinarily accomplished woman. Hildegard experienced a series of mystical visions that she documented, and she also studied and wrote about biology, botany and medicine. She was a talented poet and music composer as well, and a prolific letter-writer. Many people, including popes and kings, sought her out for spiritual and political advice. Hildegard died in 1179 at the ripe old age of 81, and left behind a treasure-trove of illuminated manuscripts, scholarly writings and songs. Pope Benedict XVI canonized her in the spring of 2012, and a few months later declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Over 800 years ago, one of Christianity’s most brilliant and daring visionaries penned striking poems, like this one, about God’s enduring presence in all things. Continue reading →
