In my class, Franciscan Spirituality, we have studied the beginnings of the Franciscan order by looking at the life of Saint Francis. In order to have something to compare it too, avoiding the trap of thinking Franciscan-ism is the only spirituality, I am introducing the students to other, less known figures like, Hildegard of Bingen. She died in 1179 - just a few years before Francis was born in 1181. She was a powerful Benedictine and had the support of the ecclesiastical community who approved and affirmed her spiritual writings and visions. The pope even sought her out for spiritual direction because of her powerful spirituality. Her visions were unique, and the image of the blue Christ is something I use today as a means of meditation.

In class today, we watched, "Play of the Virtues" which was written by Hildagard and is the oldest surviving European music-drama, and the greatest musical work by the visionary mystic. It depicts Christian virtues as women singers who sing in perfect harmony. They are living virtues which are given as gifts, unlike Aristotle's virtues which are obtained by working for them. The Christian virtues, in this play, come to the aid of a young female community member who is struggling with temptation. The young women is seduced by the deceiver (Satan). Satan does not sing in the play because he is the embodiment of all dis-harmony. Eventually, the young women sees sin for what it is, and decides to returns to the company of the virtues. They embrace her and assure her of God's forgiveness and support. They do not judge or condemn, instead they are aware of the source of sin - Satan. the great deceiver, and they are able to render him powerless - giving the young women the courage to find her voice, and confront Satan, her accuser, which empowers her, and Satan fails to get back her allegiance.
I really enjoyed introducing this powerful, Catholic women, who's experience had a strong impact on the church in the medieval age. At the same time, she also experienced the harsh reality of not always being in agreement with the powers-that-be in the church. Yet, Hildagard is a model of perseverance, not quieting on her faith by leaving the church. Instead, she engages the hierarchy while standing her ground, and was successful in changing the edict which was place on her signing community.