Hildegard of Bingen: A Spiritual Reader

In an age when life expectancy was somewhere around forty, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) lived a life that was remarkably long and incredibly productive. Butcher describes Hildegard as an "Über-multitasking Frau" and authentic "polymath." The description fits. The Benedictine abbess founded two convents, conducted four preaching tours, penned at least 400 letters, wrote music and a morality play, supervised illuminated manuscripts, cared for her fellow sisters, and wrote three major theological tomes based upon her famous visions. All this despite her pronounced feelings of self-doubt, the lack of formal schooling, chronic illnesses that probably included depression and migraine headaches, and the subservient roles assigned to women by a male-dominated church and culture. Hildegard was born the youngest of ten children to an aristocratic family that lived near Mainz. She started having what she later concluded were divine visions as earlier as age three. When she was eight her parents dedicated her to the religious life, and at age fourteen she entered the St. Disibod Abbey at Disibodenberg. Until her death almost seventy years later, she devoted herself to the life of a Benedictine nun. After keeping her visions to herself for decades, when she was forty-two Hildegard says that God told her to write what she had seen and heard: "So now you must give others an intelligible account of what you see with your inner eye and what you hear with your inner ear. Your testimony will help them. As a result, others will learn how to know their Creator. They'll no loner refuse to adore God." Butcher describes her anthology as a "Hildegard 101." After describing the life of Hildegard (pp. 1-29), her seven chapters introduce readers to Hildegard's varied works: twenty songs, Scivias or Know the Ways of the Lord (a work of twenty-six visions in three parts), her morality drama called The Play of the Virtues, selections from her 400 letters, excerpts from her writings about nature and medicine, The Book of Life's Merits (six visions about Christian temptations), and then The Book of Divine Works (10 visions in three parts). A short conclusion is followed by an extensive chronology of Hildegard's life, and a bibliography for further reading and also for listening to recordings of Hildegard's music. Butcher's short work is no substitute for the critical editions of Hildegard's works, but it might well provoke curious readers to seek them out after enjoying her fine introduction to one of the most important mothers of the church.

Carmen Butcher has done it again. In her newest book, "Hildegard of Bingen: a spiritual reader," not only has she once more rendered ancient medieval texts readable, enjoyable, and inspiring, but she has also provided a concise and interesting biography of Hildegard of Bingen. She has taken her gift for translation, as evident in "Incandescence: 365 readings with women mystics," and combined it with her penchant for breathing new life into long-gone characters, as in her biography, "Man of Blessing: A Life of St. Benedict." The introductions to each chapter are written in such a way that they are suited for, as Butcher writes, a "first-time Hildegard reader or long-time Hildegard friend" (xii). Each section gives the reader insight into another facet of the twelfth century abbess. As I read, I was continually surprised at the beauty and poetry Butcher maintained throughout her translations, whether it be a song, vision, or letter. This book is made to be read more than once. The first reading will be a delightful rushing from page to page, as you soak up Hildegard and her work. But the second reading will be a slow, meditative one, rendering spiritual nourishment and inspiration that seeps from Hildegard's wisdom and passion. Hildegard writes in one of her letters, "Always try to learn new things, then, because that's as necessary to wisdom as internal organs are to being healthy." Read "Hildegard of Bingen," and you will have learned new things.

Brilliant!! Hildegard comes alive in the pages of this wonderful book. Carmen Butcher truly captures the essence of this remarkable woman! This is a must read!!

I had the privilege of seeing and reviewing the original manuscript of this book. Dr. Carmen Butcher has translated St. Hildegard's works into modern English that is very readable. Those familiar with St. Hildegard and her works will appreciate this reader and those new to her will have a great introduction to this wonderful saint and follower of the Rule of St. Benedict. Dr. Butcher in the introduction presents a short biography of St. Hildegard. In my original review I suggest that if Pope Benedict is looking for another woman to declare a Doctor of the Church, St. Hildegard would make a wonderful candidate. St. Hildegard was very influential in her time. She had the special permission of the Church to preach to clerics and lay alike. Pope Eugene III read some of her works at a synod he was attending and praised her. St. Bernard of Clairvaux also praised her as did many clerics and lay people of note. Many sought her advice and aid. Again this reader by Dr. Butcher is a great introduction to this holy saint of God, St. Hildegard.