Hildegard of Bingen

Dr. Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook

Description

Enter the vibrant world of this medieval mystic and open yourself to the music of creation and the living light of God. This unique introduction to one of the most accomplished women in Christian history presents a wide range of Hildegard's rich and varied writings, grouped by theme, with insightful annotations and historical background.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• mysticism
• Sainthood
• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian theology
• History of Christianity
• Hildegard of Bingen
• Christianity
• Saints

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 01 mars 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781594736223
• Langue: English

Extrait

Praise for Hildegard of Bingen
Comprehensive.... [A] balanced presentation both of Hildegard s gifts and her weaknesses, revealing her as fully human yet filled up with God.
- Norvene Vest , author, What Is Your Practice? Lifelong Growth in the Spirit
An insightful introduction; wisely chosen texts; clear, concise annotation.... Instructs readers how to handle the texts ... on the nun s own terms.
- Mary Hunt , coeditor, New Feminist Christianity: Many Voices, Many Views
Writing with clear love of Hildegard von Bingen and from her own perspective as theologian, religious leader and woman of faith, Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook ... provides a hybrid scholarly and practical resource for anyone seeking to know Hildegard von Bingen and her world.
- Suzanne R. Ehly , sporano and former member of Sequentia ; artist in residence and faculty in voice, body and culture, Episcopal Divinity School
A must-have book for anyone wanting a deep personal experience of Hildegard of Bingen; her life, writings and music; and her faith in God.
- Rev. Dr. Carole Ann Camp , coauthor, Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight-A Beginner s Guide ; founder, Seekers and Sojourners
The best of Hildegard s writings ... illuminated ... with wise and knowledgeable comments.... Anyone of any tradition will enjoy this beautiful book.
- Sister Greta Ronningen , cofounder, Community of Divine Love Monastery
An excellent introduction to [Hildegard s] thought.
- Rosemary Radford Ruether , author, Integrating Ecofeminism, Globalization and World Religions


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To Rachel, our own mirror of divinity
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part 1: Living Light
Antiphon for the Angels
The Living Light Since Childhood
The Reflection of the Living Light
The Trinity
Spiritual Guidance to Another Woman Mystic
The Path of the Scriptures
A Request for the Pope s Support
Part 2: Blazing Fire
Hildegard Describes Her Visions to Bernard of Clairvaux
Three Powers in the Glowing Heat of a Flame
Fire like the Burning Sun
Fire and Bread
The Fiery Spirit
On the Faith of a Blazing Heart
Part 3: Divine Love
On God s Love for All Creatures
Celestial Love
Love Flows Richly into All Things
Divine Love Spreads like a Flame
The Voice of Divine Love
Part 4: Holy Wisdom
O Power of Wisdom
Here Begins the Play of the Virtues
The Nature of God
Wisdom and Her Sisters
Part 5: Spiritual Community
Monks, Clergy, and Laity
A Feather on the Breath of God
Separation from Richardis Brings Deep Sorrow
Solace for Richardis s Brother after Her Death
Hildegard Justifies Moving Her Community to Rupertsberg
The Need for Discipline
Giving Up the World for God
A Family Conflict
Conflicts with the Monks at Disibodenberg
Advice to Her Nuns in the Event of Her Death
Part 6: Noble Greenness
Greenness of God s Finger
Hail O Greenest Branch
O Noblest Greenness
Excessive Abstinence Withers Greenness
Virginity and Greenness
Part 7: God s Creation
Humanity and Other Creatures
Humanity as Microcosm
Mirror of Divinity
O How Miraculous
The Cosmic Egg
The Sun, Moon, and Stars
Three Paths
The Human Life Cycle
Human Temperaments
Part 8: Celestial Harmony
For the Virgin Mary
Jubilant Music
O Church (of 11,000 Virgins)
Song of Rejoicing
Music and the Prophetic Spirit
Musical Instruments
Part 9: Healing Sciences
Dreams
Food and Drink
The Griffin
The Ostrich
Insomnia
Migraine
Precious Stones
The Dog
The Unicorn
Part 10: Women s Health
A Difficult Birth
Childbirth
Conception
Fertility and Infertility
Lactation
Menstruation
Menopause
When the Virgin Captured the Unicorn
Part 11: Worldly Witness
Advice to Eleanor of Aquitaine
The Duty of a King
Political Advice for the Emperor
A Warning about the Use of Violence
To a Wife on Her Husband s Health
The Role of Nobility
To Empress Irene on Her Desire for a Child
The Works of Hildegard of Bingen
A Note on Sources
Notes
Suggested Resources
About the Author
Copyright
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Preface
I was on a trip to New York City years ago when I walked into one of my favorite sacred places, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and I was instantly mesmerized. The shop in the cathedral was playing the music of Hildegard of Bingen, A Feather on the Breath of God, performed by Christopher Page, Emma Kirkby, and Gothic Voices. The music was the most spellbinding I had ever heard, and it was soaring throughout that glorious cathedral. It was one of those experiences that the ancient Celts would say touch heaven. I sat down in a pew and listened to the music of that recording twice through, only leaving in time to purchase a copy. (I also had to buy a CD player on the way home!) As a graduate student in the history of Christianity, I went back to Cambridge and resolved to learn more about Hildegard of Bingen, about her music, and, eventually, about her many works.
This book is the result of my years of Hildegard study since then. Although I have formally studied women medieval mystics, including Hildegard, over the years I have actually used many more of her works than any others in my spiritual direction, preaching, retreat leading, and adult education. Her recent and overdue canonization opened her world to a new generation. Thus, this book is geared to that audience, those who may have been introduced to her through her music, or those interested in spirituality and mysticism. It is my hope that this book will prove useful to others who are beginning to learn about Hildegard, who want an introduction to her copious body of work, or who want to know the background to her memorable music. It is also my hope that, as an introduction to some of her texts, this book will encourage others to do further study and reflection on the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen.
This book would not have been possible without the rich and varied studies and secondary literature available on the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen. My own thirty years of Hildegard study have been enriched by the work of many who have studied and written about this remarkable woman. In particular, I would like to mention the renowned Hildegard scholars Peter Dronke, Bruce Hozeski, Beverly Mayne Kienzle, and Barbara Newman, from whom I have gained incalculable insights, as noted in some of the annotations in this book. An abbreviated list of additional works and a discography appear in the back of this book for further study. This space does not allow me to list all the Hildegard literature available, and I apologize in advance to readers who believe I omitted crucial books, music, or film. If you consult just one website in search of additional works, visit the site of the International Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies, listed in the Suggested Resources in the back of this book.
This work was supported, in part, through a Conant Sabbatical Grant, provided by the Episcopal Church Center for scholars who teach in Episcopal seminaries. The book would not have been completed without the support of SkyLight Paths, specifically Nancy Fitzgerald and Emily Wichland; when I needed additional time to complete this complex manuscript, Emily graciously gave it to me. Many thanks to the individuals and groups who agreed to read and listen to the texts, and who helped me make some of the selections. It was a great challenge to decide what to include and which texts, though interesting and insightful, to leave out.
As always, I am indebted to my family, Paul and Rachel, who stood by as I spent many nights reading and deciphering Latin texts, a decidedly solitary venture for the most part. They made sure I was fed and watered as needed. They remain my inspiration for what is most holy and most beautiful.
Introduction
We cannot live in a world that is interpreted for us by others.
An interpreted world is not a hope.
Part of the terror is to take back our own listening.
To use our own voice.
To see our own light.
-Hildegard of Bingen
Who Was Hildegard of Bingen?
Hildegard of Bingen was one of the most accomplished women in the history of Christianity, the first German mystic and the precursor of many of the great women mystics of the Middle Ages. She was also a visionary, abbess, writer, composer, dramatist, spiritual adviser, prophet, poet, preacher, and healer. Born in 1098, she was the tenth child (and a tithe to the church) of a German noble family in the Rhineland town of Bermersheim, near Alzey, southwest of Mainz. Her parents were Hildebert and Mechtild; her father was a soldier for the Count of Sponheim, and her mother was a noblewoman. Said to be a frail and sickly child, Hildegard was dedicated to the church at birth. Her spiritual gifts were manifest at an early age; for example, In my third year I saw such a light that my soul trembled, but because I was just an infant, I cou