Hildegard's Feast

Hildegard, whose feast day we celebrate today,

was born in 1098 in the German town of Bingen.

Hildegard was a mystic, a theologian, composer, preacher, Benedictine abbess, prophet,

writer of scientific journals, ecologist, inventor, & psychologist...just to name a few.

Several days ago I attended my first Hildegard of Bingen tea party.

We listened to several of her musical compositions while discussing her visions

which were known as "illuminations" & it became very clear that

Hildegard has much to offer the church of today. 

Here is a quote:

"God's soul is the wind rustling plants and leaves,

the dew dancing on the grass,

the rainy breezes making everything to grow.

Just like this, the kindness of a person flows,

touching those dragging burdens of longing.

We should be a breeze helping the homeless,

dew comforting those who are depressed,

the cool, misty air refreshing the exhausted,

and with God's teaching we have got to feed the hungry.

This is how we share God's soul."

 

- Hildegard of Bingen, Hymn -

from A Little Daily Wisdom by Carmen Butcher, p.195

 

mandala by Hildegard - Wheel of Life