Feastday St. Hildegard: September the 17th
When did St. Hildegard live: 1098 - September the 17th 1179
Biography of St. Hildegard:
St. Hildegard was born in 1098 at Bockelheim, Germany. Due to her timidity and fragile health as a child, Hildegard was placed in the care of her aunt Jutta, who later formed a community of nuns and became abbess. After the death of Jutta in 1136, the nuns elected Hildegard prioress of the convent. The monastery was moved to Rupertsburg and Hildegard established another convent at Eibengen in 1165. Hildegard, known for her prophecies and visions, recorded them in a work called Scivias. Hildegard corresponded with four popes, emperors, kings and prestigious clergy. St. Hildegard wrote about many subjects, she is known as a poet, a mystic, a physician, a prophetess and a composer. St. Hildegard died at the age of 81 and miracles were reported at her death. She is considered as one of the most important figures of the twelfth century.
Statues and sculptures of St. Hildegard - portrayal, imagery and emblem: The statue represents St. Hildegard as a nun that carries a book, in fact she is known for her compositions.
Patronage St. Hildegard: Patron saint of linguists