Hildegard of Bingen: Discovering the Woman of Light

by Lyn H Doucet

Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) is one of the most inspiring figures in Christianity: a Doctor of the Church, visionary mystic, powerful composer of hymns, artist, and philosopher. Now, you have the opportunity to know Hildegard intimately in this program on her life and spirituality.

The story of her stunning visionary life and images of her great works of art have come down to us through the centuries. They are priceless gifts birthed from her long life as a Benedictine nun. Embark on this journey through Hildegard’s life and works. Lyn Doucet delivers these excellent lectures in her signature Southern voice.

Hildegard created major texts of theology and cosmology accompanied by rich and powerfully beautiful illuminations: paintings derived directly from her visions. Hildegard also created lovely music for her nuns to sing, and her music is still widely popular today. She worked as a physician in her monasteries and wrote two books on the natural world and healing. Her letters to popes, kings, bishops, monks, nuns, and laypeople continue to offer an amazing glimpse into her life and times.

Hildegard’s understanding of all things great and small was ahead of its time, and her relationship with God continues to speak powerfully to us in our own era. Blessed John Paul II called Hildegard a “light for her people and her time.” Spend some time with this inspiring Doctor of the Church and discover how her mystical light continues to guide us today.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide.

This course was previously published as Woman of Light: Discovering Hildegard of Bingen

Genres: Spirituality

Audiobook

Published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mariah Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book/series of lectures. I first heard about Hildegard in Year of Wonder, and I wanted to know more! She was fascinating.

[Stefanie Dettmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this audiobook! I plowed through quite a few german books on Hildegard and none of them sat well with me. They did not look at this remarkable woman beyond the historical facts of her life and theological interpretation. Lyn H Doucet has a genuine connection to Hildegard, her voice is gentle and loving, she made me feel this medieval woman and her struggle to do what she did in a misogynistic world. Being a woman in medieval Europe usually meant bearing children until you die, it meant to be uneductated, it meant to be killed if you had skills that other people did not like, it meant to be considered as sinful and impure per se. Hildegard became a shining light in a world of darkness, men of power listened to her and she created a safe haven for the women she cared for. She wrote books and songs and comissioned artworks. She founded and build cloisters. She defended their customs against all odds until her last breath. These were herculean tasks for a woman of her time. She did it anyway.
I'm very grateful I found this book. It is a beautiful introduction to the person Hildegard von Bingen and it makes you want to dive deeper in her work. It is just fascinating to understand how mystics throughout the ages encounter the divine and the similarities in their experiences.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice, pretty light overview of an interesting woman. It's written like a thesis or paper and presented in sections. A good way to learn about Hildegard of Bingen and makes me want to read her actual works, which are excerpted throughout this piece.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The presenter lays out St. Hildegard’s life and works chronologically, so it is very easy to leave this audiobook with a firm grasp on a remarkable historical religious figure. I do recommend googling some of the illustrations while the presenter analyzes them.

[Olga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction to life of Hildegard of Bingen. I would have liked more quotes from her work and more illustrations.

[Robert McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m perplexed by how little Hildegard’s composing and music is covered here.

[Rebecca Cypher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of lectures. I was more interested in the musical aspect of Hildegard’s life but there was not much content regarding that. Still interesting and informative.

[Regular Warlock · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light biography. Wished it went a little deeper into analysis. It was fine