Benedict XVI dedicated his general audience catechesis this morning to St. Hildegard of Bingen, the German Benedictine nun and mystic of the twelfth century. He hoped that her example, "even in our times, awakens the desire of many women to commit their genius to the apostolic work of the Church." Speaking to more than five thousand faithful gathered in the square in Castel Gandolfo in front of his summer residence, the Pope recalled that, fearing that her mystical visions "were the result of illusions and not from God" St. Hildegard sought the approval of wise people such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who reassured and encouraged her. Pope Eugene III eventually allowed her to write about her visions and speak in public. Benedict XVI called on the faithful to follow the example of "Teutonic Prophetess," a "personal repository of supernatural gifts". She never boasted about them, but "showed total obedience to ecclesiastical authority, and loved the Church suffering for the "sins of lay people and priests."

Benedict XVI dedicated his general audience catechesis this morning to St. Hildegard of Bingen, the German Benedictine nun and mystic of the twelfth century. He hoped that her example, "even in our...leggi tutto