The Basics: Born 1098 in Germany; died September 17, 1179 in Germany; equivalent canonization on May 10, 2012, and declaration as a Doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI; feast day, September 17. Woman religious, writer, musician, mystic.
The Story: Hildegard joined a convent at an early age, and had had visions from childhood on. But it wasn’t until she was in her 
forties that she perceived the Lord wanted her to write down what she saw and heard. And write she did! Hildegard wrote letters to rulers and popes; composed liturgical music as well as a mortality play, Ordo Virtutum; composed poetry; preached; and wrote three volumes of mystical theology. She also invented an alphabet, and is noted for her scientific and medicinal writings. Hildegard wrote into her seventies.
St. Hildegard’s Wisdom: “Trust shows the way.”
What We Can Learn: God asks different things of us at different stages of our lives. Listen; is there a place where you’re telling him you’re too young, too old, too poor, too busy, too something to do what he desires? Take up his request with gusto, as Hildegard did.
To Learn More About St. Hildegard: Visit the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard in Rudeshiem am Rhein, where her relics are held, or check out the International Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies, a scholarly group.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
