Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
A few days ago, Pope Benedict XVI met with Cardinal Angelo Arnato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes. In the course of that meeting, he signed seventeen decrees that furthered the causes of several individuals and groups who have been postulated for inclusion in the Church's roster of saints. Among them were several Americans including Bishop Baraga, a Jesuit missionary who worked among the Native Americans of Northern Michigan and Wisconsin.
One of the decrees actually recognized a woman of the 12th century as a saint even though she has never been formally canonized. Her name is St. Hildegard of Bingen. The decree recognized that this woman has long been considered a saint by the faithful who have found in her writings a source of great spiritual wisdom. While we are all used to the usual process of beatification and canonization, this decree reminds us that this traditional route to sainthood is rather new in the 2,000 year history of the Church. The first saint to go through the "process" of canonization was St. Clare of Assisi who lived in the 13th century. Before her, saints were recognized by the faithful who studied their writings and asked their intercession before the throne of God. Pope Benedict's acknowledgement of her sanctity acknowledges what the faithful have already known, that this 12th century mystic has taught us much about the love of God and God's created world.
St. Hildegard was a Benedictine German nun. Perhaps this is one reason that the current Holy Father has promulgated the decree regarding her contribution to the Church. She was a writer who composed theological, botanical and medicinal texts, as well as letters, liturgical songs, and poems, while supervising brilliant miniature Illuminations. Her wisdom is still easily accessible in religious book stores and libraries.