Hildegard of Bingen

Hildegard was known for: Her visions, her writings, her musical compositions and poetry

Monastic
Poet & Composer
Saint
Woman of Note

Europe: Germany

Born: c. 1098
Died: Sept. 17, 1179

"O Holy Wisdom, Soaring Power, encompass us with wings unfurled, and carry us, encircling all, above, below, and through the world."
--O Holy Spirit, Root of Life
More Quotations by Hildegard of Bingen

Born to noble parents, Hildegard was educated at the Benedictine cloister of Disibodenberg and became prioress there in 1136. She had experienced visions since a child, but kept them to herself until, at the age of 43, she heard a command to make her visions known to others. She later described how disobeying this command made her ill, so she consulted her confessor, who in turn reported the problem to the archbishop of Mainz. Hildegard was then subjected to the inspection of a committee of theologians, who confirmed the authenticity of her visions.

In about 1147, Hildegard left Disibodenberg with several nuns and founded a convent at Rupertsberg. There she continued to record her visions in writing. She also composed music and poetry, wrote saints' lives, wrote treatises on natural history, medicine and herbs, and maintained an extensive correspondence with other monastics that revealed more of her prophecies.

Hildegard died in her early 80s. Though never formally canonized, she is listed as a saint in the Roman Martyrology for the miracles reported during her lifetime and at her tomb. The recent 900th anniversary of her birth generated renewed interest in her music, much of which has been recorded by groups such as The Anonymous 4, Gothic Voices and Sequentia.

Hildegard of Bingen Gallery of Manuscript Images
Quotations by Hildegard of Bingen
Hildegard of Bingen in Print
Hildegard of Bingen on CD
Hildegard of Bingen on the Web

Article on Hildegard from About Women's History

Hagiography
Literature & Poetry
Monasticism
Medieval Music
Women and Gender Issues


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