September 17th - Bl. Hildegard of Bingen, Visionary
Waldtraud
In 1141, Hildegard had a vision that changed the course of her life. A
vision of
God gave her instant understanding of the meaning of the religious texts,
and
commanded her to write down everything she would observe in her visions.
"And it came to pass ... when I was 42 years and 7 months old, that the
heavens
were opened and a blinding light of exceptional brilliance flowed through my
entire brain. And so it kindled my whole heart and breast like a flame, not
burning but warming... and suddenly I understood of the meaning of
expositions
of the books..."
Yet Hildegard was also overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and hesitated
to
act.
"But although I heard and saw these things, because of doubt and low opinion
of
myself and because of diverse sayings of men, I refused for a long time a
call
to write, not out of stubbornness but out of humility, until weighed down by
a
scourge of God, I fell onto a bed of sickness."
Born at B�ckelheim on the Nahe, 1098; died on the Rupertsberg near Bingen.
The
family name is unknown of this great seeress and prophetess, called the
Sibyl of
the Rhine. The early biographers give the first names of her parents as
Hildebert and Mechtildis (or Mathilda), speak of their nobility and riches,
but
give no particulars of their lives.
Later writers call the saint Hildegard of B�ckelheim, of Rupertsberg, or of
Bingen. Legends would make her a Countess of Spanheim. J. May (Katholik.
XXXVII,
143) shows from letters and other documents that she probably belonged to
the
illustrious family of Stein, whose descendants are the present Princes of
Salm.
Her father was a soldier in the service of Meginhard, Count of Spanheim.
Hildegard was a weak and sickly child, and in consequence received but
little
education at home. Her parents, though much engaged in worldly pursuits, had
a
religious disposition and had promised the child to the service of God.
At the age of eight she was placed under the care of Jutta, sister of Count
Meginhard, who lived as a recluse on the Disenberg (or Disibodenberg, Mount
of
St, Disibod) in the Diocese of Speyer. Here also Hildegard was given but
little
instruction since she was much afflicted with sickness, being frequently
scarcely able to walk and often deprived even of the use of her eyes. She
was
taught to read and sing the Latin psalms, sufficient for the chanting of the
Divine Office, but never learned to write.
The life of Hildegard as child, religious, and superioress was an
extraordinary
one. Left much to herself on account of her ill health, she led an interior
life, trying to make use of everything for her own sanctification. From her
earliest years she was favoured with visions. She says of herself:
"Up to my fifteenth year I saw much, and related some of the things seen to
others, who would inquire with astonishment, whence such things might come.
I
also wondered and during my sickness I asked one of my nurses whether she
also
saw similar things. When she answered no, a great fear befell me.
Frequently, in
my conversation, I would relate future things, which I saw as if present,
but,
noting the amazement of my listeners, I became more reticent."
This condition continued to the end of her life. Jutta had noticed her gifts
and
made them known to a monk of the neighbouring abbey, but, it seems, nothing
was
done at the time. When about forty years of age Hildegard received a command
to
publish to the world what she saw and heard. She hesitated, dreading what
people
might think or say, though she herself was fully convinced of the Divine
character of the revelations. But, continually urged, rebuked, and
threatened by
the inner voice, she manifested all to her spiritual director, and through
him
to the abbot under whose jurisdiction her community was placed.
Then a monk was ordered to put in writing whatever she related; some of her
nuns
also frequently assisted her. The writings were submitted to the bishop
(Henry,
1145-53) and clergy of Mainz, who pronounced them as coming from God. The
matter
was also brought to the notice of Eugene II (1145-53) who was at Trier in
1147.
Albero of Chiny, Bishop of Verdun, was commissioned to investigate and made
a
favourable report. Hildegard continued her writings. Crowds of people
flocked to
her from the neighbourhood and from all parts of Germany and Gaul, to hear
words
of wisdom from her lips, and to receive advice and help in corporal and
spiritual ailments. These were not only from the common people, but men and
women of note in Church and State were drawn by the report of her wisdom and
sanctity.
In the last year of her life Hildegard had to undergo a very severe trial.
In
the cemetery adjoining her convent a young man was buried who had once been
under excommunication. The ecclesiastical authorities of Mainz demanded that
she
have the body removed. She did not consider herself bound to obey since the
young man had received the last sacraments and was therefore supposed to
have
been reconciled to the Church. Sentence of interdict was placed on her
convent
by the chapter of Mainz, and the sentence was confirmed by the bishop,
Christian
(V) Buch, then in Italy. After much worry and correspondence she succeeded
in
having the interdict removed. She died a holy death and was buried in the
church
of Rupertsberg.
See longer version found at:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/hildegarde.html
Saint Quote:
When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to
think
that you are amongst men, but believe that there are troops of angels and
archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign
Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church, be there in
silence, fear, and veneration.
-St. John Chrysostom
Bible Quote
1 Unto the end, a canticle of a psalm of the resurrection. Shout with joy to
God, all the earth, 2 Sing ye a psalm to his name; give glory to his praise.
(Psalms 65:1-2)
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You are God and we praise you,
you are the Lord and we acclaim you;
you are the eternal Father, all creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
cherubim and seraphim sing in endless praise,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise you,
the noble fellowship of prophets praise you,
the white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you,
Father of majesty unbounded;
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
From the Te Deum, The Alternative Service Book (1980)