Thursday, August 25, 2011
Who Was Hildegard of Bingen?
This remarkable woman was born in Germany at the beginning of the twelfth century. She was her parents' tenth child, and was "enclosed" with an older nun at an early age and remained with her for 24 years. When her mentor and spiritual guide died, Hildegard was unanimously elected 'magistra" of her sister community and continued in a position of high authority until her death. at (we think) about 81.
Hildegarde's achievements were impressive. She wrote music, composed poetry, healed the sick with natural remedies from her garden (herbs) and special tinctures derived from crystals and gem stones, wrote theological, medical, and botanical texts, letters and what is possibly the oldest surviving morality play. She experienced many visions, these from an early age.
This remarkable woman had amazing courage and stamina. When she wanted to transfer her monastery to a different location, the male authorities opposed the move--but Hildegard went ahead and she and her fellow (female) monks constructed a new monastery with their own hands. Had she lived in today's world, she would doubtless have been recognized world wide as a wise and dedicated spiritual teacher. Instead of giving workshops and lectures, she made many "preaching tours" across Germany (imagine how it was to travel at that time). Ultimately, she was acknowledged by the Pope, and came to be known as St. Hildegard.
Hildegard's achievements are even more remarkable when we consider the times in which she lived--when women experienced universal oppression both in and out of official church circles, and few managed to express their inner creativity in any way except through needlework and gardens (considered suitable pastimes for the "weaker sex.")
Hildegard is an example of an early "woman warrior" who cleared her own path at a time when women as a sex seldom found ways to "break out of the box."
We might also note that Hildegard had a faithful (male) secretary who was doubtless of great help to her on her journey (and many of us envy her for this arrangement.)
