In May, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI formally declared 12th century
Benedictine nun Hildegard of Bingen a canonized saint, with the
canonization ceremony scheduled for October. He regards her as one of
the great thinker who has helped shape the thought of the Catholic
Church.
Today there are many websites and Hildegard groups that celebrate and
honor Hildegard's teachings, philosophy, art, and music. Author Matthew
Fox writes in Hildegard of Bingen about this amazing woman and what we
can learn from her.
In an era when women were marginalized, Hildegard was an outspoken,
controversial figure. Yet so visionary was her insight that she was
sought out by kings, popes, abbots, and bishops for advice. A sixteenth
century follower of Martin Luther called her "the first Protestant"
because of her appeals to reform the church.
As a writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine
abbess, healer, artist, feminist, and student of science, Hildegard was
a pioneer in many fields in her day.
For many centuries after her death Hildegard was ignored or even
ridiculed but today is finally being recognized for her immense
contribution to so many areas, including our understanding of our
spiritual relationship to the earth--a contribution that touches on key
issues faced by our planet in the 21st century, particularly with regard
to the environment and ecology.
