Saint Hildegard of Bingen
Saint Hildegard, a Benedictine abbess, lived in the early 1100s. She was a German writer, philosopher, composer, mystic and visionary. Her interests, research and letters represented a broad spectrum from mathematics, science and medicine to the arts (notice she is pictured here with four other saints, holding a pen and book). She is one of very few proclaimed women of the medieval period. In fact Hildegard is one of just four women to be named a Doctor of the Church, a title given by a pope to saints who have made exceptional contributions to Catholic theology and doctrine. Her feast day is September 17th.
Hildegard wrote extensively about Saint Benedict’s Rule and Lent. From Sister Andrea Westkamp, a member of Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow, Virginia, we share her reflection of one of Hildegard’s Lent reminders. Sister Andrea talks about pondering on the heart and Benedict’s words that we need to listen with the ear of our heart. She refers to Hildegard’s idea that Lent would be different if we practiced to listen with the heart:
O, You who are ever
giving life to all life,
moving all creatures,
root of all things,
washing them clean,
wiping out their mistakes,
healing their wounds,
You are our true life,
luminous, wonderful,
awakening the heart
from its ancient sleep.
Sister Andrea continues: “Listening with the heart ‘awakens the heart from its ancient sleep.’ God offers life. According to Hildegard, God also washes us, forgives our sins. God heals our wounds. The ‘ancient sleep’ is Hildegard’s metaphor of a life lived without reflection, faith or awareness of God’s presence. She reminds us that God continues to give us life, to change our lives. Is it any wonder that she was a composer, praising her God for having touched her life?”
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