Saints

Saint Hildegard of Bingen: Finding Joy and Courage in a Shipwrecked World

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September 17 is one of the most meaningful feast days of the year for me.

First, it is my daughter’s birthday. It is also the feast of Saint Lambert, the patron saint of marriage and the patron of the parish where my family regularly attends Mass. The Church also remembers Saint Robert Bellarmine, one of my favorite saints of the Counter-Reformation.

As if that were not enough, September 17 is the feast of Saint Hildegard of Bingen.

Hildegard is difficult to summarize in a single sentence. She was a Benedictine nun, abbess, mystic, theologian, composer, writer, herbalist, and student of the natural world. Calling her a polymath might be the most concise description. A polymath is someone with expertise in many different fields, and few saints fit that description better than Hildegard.

Yet her many accomplishments did not come from a scattered mind chasing every interesting subject. Her work flowed from one source: her love for God. Faith united her interests in Scripture, music, medicine, nature, and the human person.

A Mystic Rooted in Christ

Born in Germany in 1098, Hildegard was dedicated to God from childhood. She entered the Benedictine community at Disibodenberg under the guidance of Jutta of Spanheim. After Jutta died in 1136, Hildegard became the leader of the religious community. She later established monasteries at Rupertsberg, near Bingen, and Eibingen.

Hildegard experienced visions from a young age. She did not describe them as dreams or moments when she lost awareness of her surroundings. Instead, she remained conscious and understood them as a form of spiritual perception.

When Hildegard was about forty-two, she believed God commanded her to record and communicate what she had seen. She initially hesitated. The responsibility frightened her, but with the assistance of secretaries and the encouragement of Church authorities, she began writing.

Her principal visionary works included Scivias, The Book of the Merits of Life, and The Book of Divine Works. These writings explored the Incarnation, creation, virtue and vice, and humanity’s need to return to God.

Although Hildegard’s visions attract attention, they should not distract us from the foundation of her spirituality. Her thought was deeply rooted in Christ, Scripture, the liturgy, the Church Fathers, and the Rule of Saint Benedict. Pope Benedict XVI observed that her writings possessed a profound unity centered on Christ.

Hildegard did not pursue unusual spiritual experiences for their own sake. Her visions directed people toward repentance, holiness, and a deeper relationship with Jesus.

A Saint Who Refused to Bury Her Gifts

Hildegard’s life reminds us that contemplation does not mean ignoring the needs of the world.

She lived in a monastic community, but her influence extended far beyond its walls. She corresponded with popes, bishops, emperors, priests, religious sisters, and laypeople. Yet, she warned Church and political leaders when they wandered from the truth. And she also traveled to preach, something highly unusual for a woman in the twelfth century.

Hildegard possessed courage because she understood that her gifts did not belong to her alone. God had entrusted them to her for the good of the Church.

A line often attributed to her captures that courageous spirit:

“Even in a world that’s being shipwrecked, remain brave and strong.”

Those words feel particularly relevant today. Our society often appears shipwrecked by division, confusion, fear, and isolation. It is tempting to panic, complain, or withdraw from the world entirely.

Hildegard offers another response. Remain faithful. Remain courageous. Continue creating beauty and speaking the truth even when the culture seems to be falling apart.

Her courage did not come from confidence in her own abilities. It grew from obedience to God. Hildegard understood that the answer to a troubled world begins with the conversion of individual hearts.

The Music of Heaven in a Family Home

Saint Hildegard composed a large collection of sacred music, including the Symphonia armoniae caelestium revelationum. She also wrote Ordo virtutum, a sacred morality play about the struggle between the virtues and the devil.

For Hildegard, music was more than entertainment. It reflected the harmony of heaven and helped lift the human soul toward God. Creation itself formed a kind of symphony in which every part found its proper place in relation to its Creator.

This aspect of her life holds special significance for me. Hildegard is often invoked as a patron of musicians and writers, and I am a writer who was heavily involved in music during high school and college. My children are now following in those footsteps through band and choir.

As I worked on this article, I could hear a metronome ticking downstairs along with the notes of our electric piano. My children were putting on what they called a piano concert.

It was not quite the Symphonia of Saint Hildegard, but it was still beautiful.

Moments like that reveal how music brings order and joy into a home. Separate sounds become a melody. Different voices join in harmony. Even practice, with its missed notes and repeated measures, can gradually produce something beautiful.

The Christian life works in a similar way. God takes our different talents, personalities, and experiences and orders them toward something greater than we could produce alone.

Did Saint Hildegard Invent Pumpkin Spice?

There is a running joke in the Catholic meme world that Saint Hildegard invented pumpkin spice.

Technically, she did not. Hildegard never combined her spices with pumpkin, and the prepared blend now known as pumpkin spice did not appear until centuries after her death. McCormick introduced its commercial “Pumpkin Pie Spice” blend in 1934.

Still, the joke contains a small grain of truth. Hildegard knew a great deal about herbs, plants, food, and spices.

In her work Physica, she described a recipe using nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, whole-wheat flour, and water. She believed these little cakes could calm bitterness, strengthen the body, open the heart, and make the soul joyful.

Today, people often call them Hildegard’s “Cookies of Joy.”

A small framed copy of one version of this recipe hangs in my kitchen. It lists nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves as the “joy spices.” These happen to be three of the main flavors people now associate with pumpkin spice.

Hildegard’s observations should not be treated as modern medical advice. She wrote within the scientific and medical understanding of the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, her work reveals something important about how she viewed the human person. She did not separate physical health, spiritual health, and the created world into unrelated categories.

Her faith taught her to see creation as a gift. Plants, food, music, the body, and the soul all belonged within God’s wise design.

The Spiritual Greenness of God’s Grace

One of the most fascinating themes in Hildegard’s spirituality is viriditas. The Latin word is often translated as “greenness,” “freshness,” or “life-giving vitality.”

For Hildegard, viriditas described the power of God that brings life and fruitfulness to creation. The same divine grace that causes plants to grow also renews the human soul.

Sin produces the opposite effect. It dries us out. It makes us spiritually brittle, weak, and unable to bear good fruit. Grace restores the moisture of divine life to the soul.

This image calls to mind Christ’s words in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” A branch separated from the vine withers because it cannot generate life on its own. When we remain united to Jesus, his life flows through us and enables us to bear fruit.

Hildegard’s concern for nature was therefore not separate from her theology. She studied creation because creation revealed something about its Creator. Respecting the natural world also meant recognizing that it was neither divine nor disposable. It was a gift entrusted to humanity.

Her vision offers a helpful correction for our fragmented age. We often divide faith, work, health, beauty, science, and creativity into separate compartments. Hildegard saw them as different parts of one reality held together by God.

Becoming Fruitful in a Withering World

Saint Hildegard died on September 17, 1179. More than eight centuries later, Pope Benedict XVI formally extended her liturgical veneration to the universal Church. On October 7, 2012, he proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church, making her the fourth woman to receive that title at the time.

Her life demonstrates why the Church continues to learn from her.

Hildegard was brilliant, but intelligence alone did not make her a saint. She placed her intellect at the service of God. She wrote, composed, studied, taught, healed, advised, and corrected others because she wanted Christ to renew his Church.

Most of us will never compose a medieval sacred drama, correspond with an emperor, or write an encyclopedia of medicinal plants. But God has entrusted each of us with particular gifts.

Perhaps you write. Perhaps you sing or play an instrument. Maybe you teach, garden, cook, raise children, study science, care for the sick, or encourage people who feel spiritually dry.

Holiness does not require us to become skilled at everything Hildegard accomplished. It requires us to offer God whatever gifts we have received.

Her life reminds us that a person rooted in prayer can produce astonishing fruit. Even in a shipwrecked world, God continues to make saints. Even when the soul feels withered, his grace can make it green again.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen, pray for us. Help us remain brave and strong. Teach us to recognize God’s wisdom in creation, use our gifts for the good of others, and allow Christ to renew our hearts.

“Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings. Now think — what delight God gives to humankind with all these things.” — Saint Hildegard of Bingen

Related Links 

Women Doctors of the Church: Hildegard of Bingen

Apostolic Letter Proclaiming Hildegard of Bingen Doctor of the Church

What Is Viriditas? Hildegard’s Greening Power Explained

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Why Saint Pius X is the Eclipser of Errors

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Post originally published on August 23, 2017.

Pius X was an influential successor of St. Peter at the turn of the 20th century. Born Giuseppe Mechiorre Sarto in 1835, he lived near Venice, Italy. Coming from a poor family of ten children, Giuseppe acquired an education aided through his keen intellect and high moral character. Eventually, he rose the ranks of the Catholic Church and became supreme pontiff in 1903. He led the Church until 1914.

Pope Pius X

To be honest, my initial knowledge about Pius X was overshadowed by his predecessor and later successor bearing the same appellation—Pius IX and Pius XII. However, the more I read and learned about the sainted bishop the more I gained an appreciation for what he offered the Church.

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What St. Kateri Tekakwitha Taught Me About Risking Everything for Christ

/ chicoinematt

Every year, there are a few saints who surprise me.

Not because I had never heard of them before, but because I finally slowed down enough to really learn their story.

That happened to me this past school year while teaching history to my third-grade class. We were studying the 1600s and the discovery of the New World, and part of that journey included learning about St. Kateri Tekakwitha. I had known she was the first Indigenous North American saint, but reading her story alongside my students gave me a much deeper appreciation for her remarkable witness.

Sometimes teaching is one of the best ways to learn.

Known as the “Lily of the Mohawks,” St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656 in present-day Upstate New York. She was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and an Algonquin Catholic mother. At just four years old, a smallpox epidemic claimed the lives of her parents and younger brother. Though Kateri survived, the disease left her scarred, partially blind, and orphaned.

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A 747 Word Interview about the Sainthood Video Game

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Bisong Taiwo via phone call on June 21st, 2025. Interview originally published on July 2nd, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given. 

“Sainthood” is such a unique blend of cozy gameplay and Catholic spirituality. What inspired you to create a strategy game rooted in faith and virtue?

Well, I looked around and I couldn’t find anything that I could be proud of my faith in the game industry. The games I found where Christianity was present was either a parody or present as a conquering mechanic in those games.

I wanted to create a game that helped people pray and serve their community. And to remind the players the core tenets of Christianity.

The game invites players to grow in both Faith and Charity. How did you decide which Catholic practices and values to weave into the core mechanics of gameplay?

In the game, you pray the Rosary, attend Mass, and unlock Saints from all over the world. The game takes place in my home continent of Africa, and the way Christianity got brought to Africa was a bit unique. The game takes place in the 1500s in the Kingdom of Kongo (not to be confused with present-day Congo), so I tried to stay true to the historicity of Catholicism of that era. 

You’ve included 25 real-life saints from across the globe. How did you choose which saints to feature, and what do you hope players take away from learning about them?

That was interesting! I wanted to tackle it. Due to Catholic media, I was mostly familiar with European saints. I went to each continent and picked a few unique stories that I found interesting. The Church is global and I thought it was cool to take saints from around the world to represent the catholicity/universality of our faith. 

The game hints at mystery and spiritual discovery—uncovering the island’s past and the player’s purpose. How does that narrative tie into Catholic themes of vocation, discernment, or the universal call to holiness?

There is a very hidden story, which I can’t spoil. The prioress in the convent who you talk to every day in the game gives you speeches about how to grow your faith in times of hardship. There’s a lot of hardship on this island. I constructed this prioress to give you life lessons, who journeys with you, but also gives you these funny stories. She’s an interesting character who I have never seen on television and definitely not in video games.

Many Catholic parents and educators are always on the lookout for faithful digital media. How do you see Sainthood fitting into the broader conversation about wholesome, mission-driven entertainment?

The reality of the situation is that video games are the dominant form of entertainment for this generation. A lot of kids are playing Fortnite or Roblox. For me it’s an opportunity to bring the faith to this generation. The game has to be entertaining, beautiful, and has to have great graphics. This game is a way to make the faith more compelling to the youth. Video games are part of the culture. Sainthood was created to be a part of this culture and to bring the Gospel to this generation through this type of entertainment.

What’s been the most surprising or rewarding feedback you’ve received from Catholic (or even non-Catholic) players?

I love reading reviews! That’s the primary source of knowing how it’s doing. Some people have purchased the games on multiple platforms. Some people aren’t Catholic but they mentioned how they love Christian games. And some reviewers aren’t even Christians and still say they value the concept of service within the game. 

Any plans for expansions or future Catholic games?

This is always a tricky one, it’s a good question. It depends on what the Lord has in store for me. I would say that if there are any business partners to be made (schools for example) that would be the way to go for expansions. 

I do have a prayer mode in the game. It is separate from the main story, but I have wanted to add more prayers in this mode. Currently, I have the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. 

I think it would make more sense to branch out to different genres of games. Sainthood is a strategy game. There’s many different genres and thousands of Saints to feature in different games. 

Saints are a big part of our Catholic tradition and there’s so many I would love to bring to the forefront. 

Where is the best place for my readers to find Sainthood and learn more? 

Sainthoodgame.com and there’s a new Catholic word game I created. Check out Saintly — Find Today’s Saint!

About Bisong:

Bisong Taiwo is a filmmaker, software developer, and game designer. Born in Nigeria and currently based in Canada, he has worked across the mobile games, indie film, and tech industries, contributing to a range of projects either as a solo director or as part of a collaborative team. At his core, Bisong is a passionate gamer with a deep love for all kinds of games.

While most strategy games emphasize combat, Bisong is drawn to designing altruistic strategy experiences that focus on helping and serving others rather than conquering or controlling them. His most recent game, Sainthood, exemplifies this vision. As Director, Designer, Writer, and Programmer on the project, he led a small team of contractors to bring the game to life. Sainthood was partially funded by the Xbox Developer Acceleration Program and has received strong reviews and ratings on both the Steam and Xbox stores, resonating with religious and secular audiences alike.

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5 Stunning Facts about Saint Catherine of Siena

/ chicoinematt

Sponsored: This article is made possible by Letters From Heaven — Saint Letters for Catholic Kids supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

Saint Catherine of Siena was one of the greatest followers of Christ. Her ability to articulate the Gospel and her courage to call even the papacy to reform are among the key reasons she is one of my favorite saints. My youngest daughter is even named after this amazing saint, which means her story shows up often in our home in very real and tangible ways.

Read on to learn five amazing facts about Catherine:

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Saints Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea: Witnesses to Spiritual Renewal and the Dignity of Life

/ chicoinematt

The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, as recounted in the Gospel of John, offers a glimpse into the transformative power of spiritual rebirth through baptism. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, seeks wisdom under the cover of night. This darkness can be seen as symbolic of his initial lack of understanding or hesitation to fully embrace the truth of Jesus’ message. Yet, by approaching Jesus, Nicodemus takes the first step out of this spiritual darkness.

Their conversation centers around the concept of baptism—a second birth that ushers believers into the realm of the spirit. Through baptism, individuals shed their old selves, emerging as adopted children of God, free from the constraints of original sin. Nicodemus’s willingness to engage in dialogue, despite his initial reservations, demonstrates his openness to spiritual growth. He becomes a beacon of hope for all who seek understanding and a deeper connection with divine truth.

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Lent: Walking the Desert, Climbing Carmel

/ chicoinematt

Lent is often described as a journey, but most of us imagine the wrong kind of trip.

We picture something orderly and purposeful, like a planned pilgrimage with clear stops and visible progress. In reality, Lent tends to feel less like a guided retreat and more like wandering through harsh terrain. The Church gives us images of deserts and mountains for a reason. Both places are beautiful, but neither is comfortable, and neither can be rushed.

Lately I have been thinking about how perfectly those two landscapes fit together. In a funny way, Antarctica might be one of the best physical analogies for Lent. It contains vast deserts, towering mountains, and long stretches of silence and darkness. It is stark, even unsettling, yet strangely magnificent. You do not go there to be entertained. You go there to be changed.

That is what Lent is meant to do to us.

The Desert Simplifies What We Complicate

Every year I begin Lent with some sort of plan. I imagine what my prayer life will look like, which devotions I will take up, and how disciplined I will be about fasting. Somewhere in the back of my mind there is always the hope that this will be the year I finally “do Lent right.”

Then the desert shows up.

The prayer feels dry. The sacrifices feel small. The daily routine crowds in, and whatever elaborate spiritual blueprint I had imagined starts to crumble. Instead of feeling like a spiritual athlete, I usually feel like someone who packed too much for a hike and now has to carry it through sand.

Part of this comes from how complicated the Catholic world around Lent can feel. There are challenges, book lists, podcasts, and endless suggestions for how to maximize the season. None of those things are bad, but if you are wired like me, it can quickly feel overwhelming. My ADHD brain does not need twenty possible Lenten programs. It needs a path that is clear and walkable.

The Church, in her wisdom, already gave us one.

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