Who was Hildegard of Bingen?
Hildegard of Bingen's exact birthdate is unknown, however it is believed she was born in the year 1098. Although birth records are inconclusive, it is thought that Hildegard was the youngest of 10 children and born in Bermersheim, West Franconia, which is now known as Germany. As Hidegard frequently experienced visions, her earliest at the age of 3, her parents offered her as an oblate (a person who is specifically dedicated to God or God's services) to the church at the young age of 8, where she became enclosed (strictly separated from the “outside world” to become a nun) at the approximate age of 14, with an older nun named Jutta, who cared for her and gave her a religious education.
For the next 30 years, Hildegard and Jutta prayed, studied and worked and gradually more women began joining their convent. When Jutta passed away, the nuns unanimously elected Hildegard as their leader and at the age of 42, Hildegard experienced her strongest vision yet, one of inspiration, knowledge and understanding, which she recorded and began to share. During Hildegard's later years she experienced a vision from God that had advised her to allow a man who was excommunicated from the church prior to his death, to be buried at the convent, however the church authorities disagreed and forbade it. Although Hildegard persisted and secretly hid the coffin, the authorities found out and excommunicated the entire convent from the church, however the church eventually reversed this action. Hildegard of Bingen died at the age of 81, which was rare as medieval life was tough and the average age one lived to was around 30-40. She died on the 17th of September, 1179, which is thought to be one day after her birth date.
For the next 30 years, Hildegard and Jutta prayed, studied and worked and gradually more women began joining their convent. When Jutta passed away, the nuns unanimously elected Hildegard as their leader and at the age of 42, Hildegard experienced her strongest vision yet, one of inspiration, knowledge and understanding, which she recorded and began to share. During Hildegard's later years she experienced a vision from God that had advised her to allow a man who was excommunicated from the church prior to his death, to be buried at the convent, however the church authorities disagreed and forbade it. Although Hildegard persisted and secretly hid the coffin, the authorities found out and excommunicated the entire convent from the church, however the church eventually reversed this action. Hildegard of Bingen died at the age of 81, which was rare as medieval life was tough and the average age one lived to was around 30-40. She died on the 17th of September, 1179, which is thought to be one day after her birth date.
How can Hildegard of Bingen teach us about Catholic, medieval spirituality?
In medieval times, life was dominated by the Church. Regardless of your position in the Feudal System, everyone attended church and practiced Catholicism. Hildegard of Bingen’s life can demonstrate to us the nature of Catholic, medieval spirituality as her dedication to the church and God is representative of most people’s relationship with the church during that time period.
During the Middle Ages, an uprising of mythological beliefs, ideas and thoughts surrounded Christianity. As Hildegard often experienced visions, which she documented in three volumes centered around theological and mythological beliefs, her being a visionary and mythologist certainly contributed to the beliefs of mythology in medieval times. This displays the way Hildegard’s visions and mythological beliefs can portray the nature of Catholic, medieval spirituality.
During the Middle Ages, an uprising of mythological beliefs, ideas and thoughts surrounded Christianity. As Hildegard often experienced visions, which she documented in three volumes centered around theological and mythological beliefs, her being a visionary and mythologist certainly contributed to the beliefs of mythology in medieval times. This displays the way Hildegard’s visions and mythological beliefs can portray the nature of Catholic, medieval spirituality.