St. Hildegard’s Festive Service

St. Hildegard (1098-1179) was a mystic, a composer of music, a poet, a theologian, an artist, and a gifted herbalist. She became a Benedictine nun at the age of eighteen. From her mystical visions she came to see each human person as a ‘spark’ of God’s eternal love, flowing from Him like sunlight from the sun. She was filled with a steadfast joy, in life and in purpose, even in the face of many trials.

Therefore, when she counsels us to ‘be not lax in celebrating’, but become as blazing offerings to God, I desperately want to obey her. Then I ask myself, how can I do this? What can I do each day to be a good servant? One way is to be deeply grateful for the bountiful beauty of life. Gratitude leads spontaneously to celebration. Gratitude also nurtures other virtues, such as kindness, patience, hope and charity. We may clothe ourselves with the virtues, as with a festive garment, ready for celebration, ready to be ablaze with joy and gladness.

“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.” [Luke 6:38]

This postcard was made with mixed vintage florals and design elements, paint, ink, and texturing. The honey bee represents one of St. Hildegard’s wonderful, medicinal concoctions, made with red wine, honey, and parsley.

If you are interested in recipes based on her culinary philosophy, this is a good resource: https://www.healthyhildegard.com/category/healthy-nutrition/healthy-recipes/