St. Hildegard of Bingen: A Compassionate Mystic and Advocate for Creation. Dr. Chapman Chen
- Chapman Chen
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a 12th-century Benedictine abbess, visionary mystic, theologian, composer, healer, and naturalist. Born in Germany, she experienced divine visions from a young age and became a powerful figure in medieval Christian spirituality. She wrote extensively on theology, herbal medicine, music, and the natural world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all creation.
Hildegard’s holistic worldview embraced a deep reverence for animals and nature, seeing them as part of God’s divine order, and emphasizing that humanity must care for creation rather than exploit it. In the visionary text, Scivias (Know the Ways), Hildegard presents the concept of viriditas, or "greening power," symbolizing the vitality and divine life force present in all of creation. She presents a cosmological vision in which all of creation is part of a harmonious divine order. She portrays sin as disrupting the balance of creation, which includes humans abusing animals and nature. While not always specifying animal cruelty, her emphasis on the interconnectedness of all creatures implies that harming animals is a spiritual failing.
Hildegard’s work, Physica (Liber Simplicis Medicinae), reflects her deep understanding of natural science and herbal medicine. She recommends the consumption of spelt, vegetables, and fruits, cautions against eating pig flesh, and highlights the importance of preserving the natural world.
In Causae et Curae (Causes and Cures), Here, Hildegard explores the causes of diseases and their remedies, underscoring the necessity of maintaining balance within oneself and with the environment. She discusses the relationship between humans and animals, suggesting that mistreatment of animals reflects a broader spiritual imbalance.
Hildegard’s vision of harmonious living resonated with later Christian vegan movements, making her an early voice for ethical treatment of animals within the Church. Despite the constraints of her era, her writings and music continue to inspire those who seek a spirituality that honours the dignity of all creatures. She was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church in 2012, solidifying her legacy as a visionary who championed a compassionate and ecologically attuned faith.
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