St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) was a German Benedictine abbess and one of the most influential mystics in the history of the Catholic Church. Dedicated to religious life at the age of eight, she entered a Benedictine monastery and rose to become a powerful abbess and scholar. From childhood, Hildegard experienced vivid and complex visions exploring themes of divinity, the human soul, and the natural world. These visions, later recorded in writing, formed the foundation of her theological and scientific works. Around 1147, Pope Eugene III granted her the extraordinary privilege—rare for a woman of that time—to write and speak about her visions. St. Hildegard was also a composer, poet, philosopher, healer, and theologian. She founded monasteries and served as an advisor to popes, kings, and common people alike. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI canonized her and declared her a Doctor of the Church—one of only four women to receive that honor—recognizing her courageous ability to discern the signs of the times, her love for creation, and her contributions to medicine, poetry, and music, which are now experiencing a revival. Today, St. Hildegard is honored, and her legacy continues to inspire the faithful. EWTN Vatican journalist Bénédicte Cedergren has more.

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