Of course in her case, "out there" is a relative term. A lot of people living in the twelfth century were pretty much out there, too.

I'm asking to know: is Hildegard actually a canonised saint?
I have heard that she may be made a doctor of the Church: is this accurate?

As for her being "out there", it is true that any Mystic is going to seem out there. However, she was ferocious against Gnosticism. I actually believe that is the plague of our time, self actualization as salvation, finding your true self. That is the heresy committed by that nun whose book, "just love, "was severely criticized by the CDF. She believes that just love is based on justice towards the person as they are, and so therefore she condones every form of sexual behavior, virtually. For people who are into that, I think it is hard to talk rationally to them. However I think Hildegard might be a big help in that regard; if it is the other world that they are trying to get in contact with, Hildegard was certainly in touch with all that. Kenneth

amindthatsuits:

Totally agree with you.

Hildegard is not mainstream by any stretch, but she certainly is orthodox. She was a faithful servant of both God and the Church.

As is the case (I think) of many true prophets and mystics in our heritage, some people (hippies) would be disappointed to learn the extent of her humility and fidelity, while others (traddies) would be scandalized at the audacity and power of her vision.

I have heard (too often) the cliche definition of a prophet as someone who "speaks truth to power."

Hildegard didn't just speak truth- she sang it.
And not just to "power."
She sang it to all of us.

Interesting. So it is an endorsement of her general paradigm or output or influence rather than a particular aspect of the paradigm/output/influence? What's the purpose of proclaiming a Doctor of the Church if not to underline a positive influence of the person --- i.e., for mystics, mysticism; for musicians, music; for theologians, theology.

(Honest question, no offense intended.)

Mr Fulhorst has made a fine point! And one may but wonder that there are no musicians who are doctors of the Church. Candidates may be Tallis and Palestrina.

Because I'm feeling cheeky today, a weak little disputatio for your enjoyment:

It may be said that she will be proclaimed Doctor of the Church for her contributions to music rather than, even despite, her other fields of notoriety and expertise. She was something more of a polymath than, say, Augustine, so this is a possiblity.

On the contrary, Doctors of the Church have before been honored without enjoying any absolute, explicit distinction for some contribution among others. For example: Gregory the Great is a Doctor of the Church, one of the first. Lacking a "Doctor" nickname, and seeing "the Great," it's presumably for just about everything he ever did. Though Hildegard is not called "the great," she is still a saint widely believed to have been a one long, long before her canonization, and her works survived the ages when only what was worth believing or disputing was saved.

Though this does not constitute an absolute proof, it is enough to show that if she were singled out for one field at the expense of others it would be unusual in the light of an election to the Doctors of the Church. It should therefore be viewed as unlikely, pending further contrary evidence. It would be a possibility along the lines of "female Cardinals" --- maybe ontologically possible but nonetheless very peculiar ---- if Hildegard were officially honored for one particular thing about her at the explicit denial of some other particular thing for which she is yet widely honored.

Again, pending further contrary evidence, which will be welcomed cheerfully.

With all due respect to those suggesting Tallis, Palestrina, Josquin, Victoria, or even Bach might be suitable as potential (musicianl) Doctors of the Church, I do wonder whether, first, one should be discussing whether any of these might be considered for Sainthood. When St. John of Avila and St. Hildegard of Bingen become Doctors of the Church, this will bring the total to 35. There are many, many more Saints.

But there is a doctor of the Church who is also a musician- Hildegard.
I love that she started composing at 50. Inspiration!!
Musicians noted for sanctity may be relatively few, though some names come to mind-
Pierre de la Rue
Messaien
Mary Berry

Exactly, MaryAnn, although St. Hildegard won't be elevated until October.

Thank you MaryAnn for mentioning that Hildegard was a musician.

Unless my Music History textbook was incorrect, Hildegard was the first non-anonymous composer in what we would now call the Western musical tradition.

Also, she was a visual artist, painting a number of her cosmic visions.

Also, she was a botanist and scientist.

Also, the first woman (that we know of) to write about gynecology and obstetrics.

Also, a skilled diplomat, and an advisor to Bishops, Popes, and Kings.

Thirty years ago, Blessed Pope John Paul II beatified Blessed Giovanni of Fiesole, aka Fra Angelico, and named him patron of artists.

I would hope that the words and ceremonies surrounding the promotion of St. Hildegard to Doctor of the Church in October might go a long way towards resolving the speculation here.

Um, not exactly.

Anton Bruckner ... full of devotion and sanctity.

JL, thanks!

But... but Doug! Active partiipation does not always equate with sanctity. I couldn't resist!

Bruckner- yes, Charles.

No one has said Messaien?

Yes, I had profs who said the same thing about access to M's private life. While I admire Loriod's sense of duty, I aslo feel that M was reaching new heights in the area of sacred music as mission work, and that new dimensions of devotional life may have been opened sooner and to greater effect.

Through his compositions, M seems to me at once totally authetic and genuinely innovative, lofty and yet deeply intimate. I would love to know more of this thoughts on spirituality and his sources of inspiration as a church musician.