Hildegard von Bingen
(1098-1179)
Hildegard was born in western Germany, near the small town of Bockelheim. It is believed that her father was a knight. She did not enjoy good health as a child, and at the age of 8 she was placed in the care of Blessed Jutta, who lived as a recluse in a small home near the Abbey of St. Disibod. Jutta taught Hildegard much about devotion and prayer, and also provided her a traditional education.
Jutta became well known in the community, and founded a Benedictine Hermitage. Hildegard seemed to do well at the Hermitage, yet some were uncomfortable with her absorption in God. Around the age of 15, Hildegard began to engage in communion with God, beginning to have visions and speak prophecy. Some around her were skeptical, and felt uncomfortable with this display. She prayed fervently for understanding of her place in the community, and why she was being given these prophecies. As her reputation grew, and her devotional piousness became apparent, many were convinced that her perceptions were real.
Jutta died in 1136, and Hildegard took her place as head of the Hermitage. The more responsibility she accepted, the more powerful her visions and prophesies became. She tried to deny them, but felt a strong desire to preserve them. With reluctance, she began to write. As her superiors became aware of her writing, a sample was sent to Archbishop Henry of Mainz. After a group of theologians examined her ideas on the love of Jesus, the care of angels for men and women, and temptations of the devil, the Archbishop made the conclusion that her visions “came from God.”
In 1141, she began writing a comprehensive book of her revelations, entitled Scivias (translated as “Know The Path”). She labored for 10 years on this work. It included 26 visions dealing with the relationship between God and people, to the phases of creation, redemption and the church. In it, she implored the church's leaders as well as ordinary people to practice morality and virtue at all times. There were some leaders who felt threatened by her powerful standing as a voice of God, yet hundreds of people worshipped her as a Saint. In 1147 she attracted the attention of Pope Eugene the third, and when he examined her works, he praised her insights, yet cautioned her to be careful of pride, a true danger to one so favored by God.
Hildegard viewed the world as God's playground. Many of her studies deal with different aspects of the natural world, including scientific studies on minerals, plants, trees, fish, birds and animals. She also conducted an investigation of the human body and its illnesses, including suggested treatments. As well, she wrote hundreds of letters to the leaders of the church, imploring them to live in harmony with Jesus' teachings, with morality, compassion, and a humble heart. She also wrote music, which is considered by many to be the work of genius.
In the last year of her life, she provided a burial for a young man who had been excommunicated. This caused difficulties for her monastery, and they were told that no worship would be allowed at her church. She wrote a letter in reply saying, “Those who impose silence, without good reason, on churches who are singing in God's honor, will not deserve to hear that glorious choir of angels that praises the Lord in heaven.” The letter hit home, and the ban was lifted.
Hildegard died peacefully in 1179. After her death her fame as a mystic grew as the beauty and simplicity of her writings was revealed. If alive, she likely would not have enjoyed this fame, as she had seen herself as a simple woman doing God's work, as was her duty. She said once:
“Listen: there was once a king sitting on his throne. Around him stood great and wonderfully beautiful columns ornamented with ivory, bearing the banners of the king with great honor. Then it pleased the king to raise a small feather from the ground, and he commanded it to fly. The feather flew, not because of anything in itself but because the air bore it along. Thus am I, a feather on the breath of God.”
Hildegard von Bingen was a spiritual mystic. Her mystical perspective was challenging for many that study theology, but her words and prophecy were fulfilled in time and more were able to accept Hildegard of Bingen as the mystical creature that she is. The illumination in a mystic prophecy tends to be the source of spiritual growth and healing for those involved. She provided prophecy from her mystical visions and through her communion with God for spiritual healing and growth of those around her.