St. Hildegard of Bingen

Patron Saint of Musicians and Writers

Saint Hildegard of Bingen was an 11th century German Benedictine abbess. As a child, Hildegard was very spiritual. She recorded her ideas in umbra viventis lucis or "the reflection of the living Light." Recognizing her deep spirituality, her parents helped her join a Benedictine monastery. Hildegard was also a well-known composer and scientist. Her works continue to influence students and scholars today. Her spiritual visions remained the foundation of her life, and she showed how faith, science, and music could all be in harmony. For her great spiritual contributions to the Church, Pope Benedict XVI declared her a Doctor of the Church in 2012.