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   WOMEN MAKE A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THEOLOGY   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 8 SEP 2010 (VIS) - In his general audience, held this morning in   
   the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, the Pope dedicated his catechesis to a subject he   
   began last week, that of St. Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth-century German   
   Benedictine religious "who distinguished herself for her spiritual wisdom and   
   the sanctity of her life".   
      
   Referring to the mystical visions the saint received throughout her life, the   
   Holy Father highlighted how "they were rich in theological content. They   
   referred to the main events of the history of salvation and use a Mainly poetic   
   and symbolic language. For example, in her best known work entitled 'Scivias'   
   ('Know the Ways') she summarised the events of the history of salvation in   
   thirty-five visions, from the creation of the world to the end of time. ... In   
   the central part of her work she develops the theme of the mystical marriage   
   between God and humankind which came about in the Incarnation".   
      
   "Even in this brief outline", Benedict XVI went on, "we see how theology can   
   receive a special contribution from women, because they are capable of speaking   
   of God and of the mysteries of the faith with their specific intelligence and   
   sensitivity". In this context he encouraged all women "who undertake this   
   service to do so with a profound ecclesial spirit, nourishing their reflections   
   with prayer and looking to the great riches - still partly unexplored - of the   
   mediaeval mystical tradition, especially as represented by such shining   
   examples as Hildegard of Bingen".   
      
   Turning his attention to other writings by the saint, the Pope recalled how   
   "two are particularly important because, like 'Scivias', they contain her   
   mystical visions. They are the 'Liber vitae meritorum' (Book of Life's Merits)   
   and the 'Liber divinorum operum' (Book of Divine Works) which is also known by   
   the name of 'De operatione Dei'. The former ... underscores the profound   
   relationship between man and God and reminds us that all creation, of which man   
   is the apex, receives life from the Trinity. ... In the second work, considered   
   by many to be her masterpiece, she again describes creation in its relationship   
   with God and the centrality of man, revealing a powerful biblical-patristic   
   kind of Christocentrism".   
      
   Hildegard was also interested in "medicine and the natural sciences, as well as   
   music", said the Holy Father. "For her, all of creation was a symphony of the   
   Holy Spirit, Who is in Himself joy and contentment".   
      
   "Hildegard's popularity led many people to consult her. ... Monastic   
   communities, both male and female, as well as bishops and abbots all sought her   
   guidance. And many of her answers remain valid, even for us", said the Pope.   
      
   "With the spiritual authority she possessed, in the last years of her life   
   Hildegard began to travel. ... She was considered to be a messenger sent by   
   God, in particular calling monastic communities and clergy to a life in   
   conformity with their vocation. Hildegard especially opposed the German Cathar   
   movement. The Cathars - their name literally means 'pure' - supported radical   
   reform of the Church, principally to combat clerical abuses. She reprimanded   
   them fiercely, accusing them of wanting to subvert the very nature of the   
   Church and reminding them that the true renewal of the ecclesial community is   
   not obtained by changing structures so much as by a sincere spirit of penance   
   and a fruitful journey of conversion. This is a message we must never forget".   
      
   The Pope concluded: "Let us always invoke the Holy Spirit that He may bring   
   saintly and courageous women to the Church, like St. Hildegard of Bingen, who   
   using the gifts received from God, may make their precious and specific   
   contribution to the spiritual growth of our communities".   
   AG/VIS 20100908 (630)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
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    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)