PRAYER CHAPEL OF SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN
DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, MYSTIC,
TEACHER OF DIVINE WISDOM
Theme: Divine Wisdom, the Living Spirit of God, Viriditas (the greening and life-giving power of God), harmony with creation, healing, sacred music, and fidelity to God's Call.
Entrance Prayer
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Word and Divine Wisdom, You called Saint Hildegard of Bingen from her earliest years to a life of prayer and service. You filled her with the Light of Your Holy Spirit. You entrusted to her a vision of Your Wisdom, shining throughout creation.
Through her faith and obedience, Hildegard became a witness to Your Truth. She became a teacher of Your Church, and a servant of Your people.
As we gather in this chapel dedicated to her honour, grant us the grace to seek Your Wisdom. Help us to listen attentively to Your Voice. May we recognise Your Presence in creation. We pray that the life of Your Spirit will flourish within our souls.
Where our hearts have become dry, renew us with Your Living Grace. Where we are wounded, bring healing. Where we are troubled, bring peace. Where we have lost hope, make us fruitful again in Your Love.
Through the intercession of Saint Hildegard, teach us to live in harmony with You. Help us to live in harmony with one another. Inspire us to live in harmony with the creation You have entrusted to us.
Amen."
Scripture Reading
Wisdom 7:25-26
“For she is a breath of the power of God,and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.For she is a reflection of eternal light,a spotless mirror of the working of God,and an image of his goodness.”
Reflection
Saint Hildegard of Bingen was a woman deeply rooted in prayer and contemplation. From her earliest years she experienced awareness of the Presence of God. She became a Benedictine religious, abbess, mystic, theologian, composer, writer and teacher whose life was devoted to proclaiming the Wisdom of God.
Saint Hildegard saw creation as an expression of God's Goodness. All created order speaks of the Creator. She understood that God's life-giving Power continually works within creation, bringing forth growth. Hildegard knew that creation shows forth the Beauty of God. She expressed this through the concept of viriditas, the greening vitality of Divine Life.
The life of Saint Hildegard reminds us that holiness is not separated from creation. Rather, we are called to look upon the world with wonder. We are tasked to care for it.
Hildegardian spirituality teaches us that the human soul is called to become fruitful in God. Just as the earth receives rain and produces new life, so the soul that receives God's Grace can become fruitful in holiness. Love grows in those who practise good. Wisdom comes to those who follow God.
Hildegard unwaveringly spoke the truth entrusted to her, while remaining faithful both to Church and her vocation. Saint Hildegard's life reminds us that God can use a humble soul as an instrument of His Wisdom.
May we, like Saint Hildegard, become receptive to the Holy Spirit. May we be attentive to God's Word, May we, like her, remain faithful to our vocation. May we follow her example as witness to the goodness of God.
LITANY OF SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN
Response: Pray for us.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen,
Response
Prayer for wisdom
"Saint Hildegard of Bingen, intercede for us before the Throne of Divine Wisdom.
Teach us to seek the Wisdom that comes from God, rather than the wisdom of the world. Help us to listen in silence, and to contemplate deeply. Guide us to recognise the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within our hearts.
May God's Wisdom illumine our minds, and purify our hearts. May His Wisdom guide our decisions.
Dear Saint Hildegard, help us to live according to Truth, and to speak with charity. Inspire us to act with humility, and to remain faithful to the vocation God has entrusted to each of us.
May we grow in wisdom. May we share the gospel with others.
Amen."
Prayer for Renewal and Viriditas
"Saint Hildegard, teacher of the Living greenness of God's Grace, pray for us.
Ask the Lord to breathe His life into every place within us that has become weary or barren.
Please ask the Lord, that we may be granted the following gifts;
May the Holy Spirit make our souls fruitful in faith, hope and love. May our lives bear good fruit for God and for His people.
Amen."
Prayer for Families and Communities
"Saint Hildegard, intercede for our families and communities.
Pray that our homes may become places of peace and prayer. May our domestic sanctuaries be havens of forgiveness and love.
Pray for parents, children, grandparents and all who care for others. Strengthen those who are burdened, and comfort those who grieve. Encourage those who are discouraged, and protect those who are vulnerable.
Pray for our communities and nations, that we may learn to live together in harmony. Inspire us to respect the dignity of every human person, and to faithfully care for the beautiful creation of God.
May our families and communities become places where God's Wisdom is heard, and His Love practised. May we recognise the Presence of God.
Amen."
Prayer for Creation
"Saint Hildegard, who showed devoted love for God's creation, pray for us.
Help us to see the heavens and the earth with eyes of wonder.
Teach us to recognise the goodness of the Creator in the beauty of flowers, and the strength of trees. May we praise the creation of God in the movement of water, and the flight of birds. Let us honour God's Power in the changing seasons and the splendour of the earth.
Let us look with devoted care upon fellow human beings upon this planet, not with eyes of darkness, seeking to maim, hurt or unalive them. Rather, let us glory that we can help, heal and treasure others and the gifts that God has given them. Let us realise that we are all children of God within this one universe. Let us not be jealous of the diversity and gifts of others. Rather, let us celebrate our own. Let us all join hands together, and, as a team of human sons and daughters of God, treasure and care for the creation He granted us.
Let us look with wonder upon birds on flight; not with eyes of darkness seeking to maim, shoot and unalive them. Rather, to celebrate birds as neighbours in Creation.
Let us look with devoted love and care on animals and all species on earth; not with hearts of malice seeking to maim and unalive them. Rather, to care for them, heal them, and treasure their lives and their young.
Saint Hildegard, obtain for us a reverence for creation, and wisdom to protect and care for the world entrusted to us.
May we never treat God's creation merely as something to possess, but receive it as a gift calling us to gratitude and responsibility.
Amen."
Prayer for Healing
"Saint Hildegard, servant of God's healing Wisdom, pray for us.
Bring before Christ all who are sick in body, mind or spirit.
Pray for those who suffer silently, and for those who are afraid. Pray for those who feel forgotten, and those who have lost hope.
Ask the Lord to grant healing according to His Divine Will, and to give strength to those who care for the sick.
May the peace of Christ enter every troubled heart, and may His healing Grace restore what is broken.
Amen."
Prayer for Sacred Music
"Saint Hildegard, whose heart became a song of praise, pray for us.
Teach us to praise God not only with our voices, but with our whole lives.
May our lives become a hymn of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity.
Amen."
Closing Prayer
"O God, Who raised up Saint Hildegard of Bingen as witness to Your Divine Wisdom, grant that through her prayers and example we may grow in holiness and wisdom.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and purify our hearts. May the Holy Spirit renew our lives.
Teach us to recognise Your Presence in creation, and to honour the dignity of every person. Help us to care faithfully for the world You have entrusted to us, and to remain steadfast in the vocation You have given us.
May our souls become fruitful in grace, and our homes become places of peace. May our communities become instruments of charity, and our lives become songs of praise to You.
Through the intercession of Saint Hildegard, may we faithfully follow Christ, the Eternal Word and Divine Wisdom, until we rejoice with all the saints in the glory of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen."
NOVENA TO SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN
The Novena to Saint Hildegard of Bingen is a time of contemplation and spiritual renewal. Through her intercession, we ask God for the graces of wisdom, fidelity to His Call, openness to the Holy Spirit, healing of body and soul, harmony within our families and communities, and deeper reverence for creation.
We ask Saint Hildegard to help us become more attentive to God's presence and more faithful to the vocation He has given us.
Opening of the Novena
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Eternal Father, source of all Wisdom and Creator of Heaven and Earth, You raised up Saint Hildegard of Bingen as a humble servant of Your Divine Wisdom.
You filled her with the light of Your Holy Spirit, and entrusted to her a vision of Your glory, creation and Your saving love as revealed in Jesus Christ.
Through her intercession, send Your Holy Spirit upon us.
Teach us to listen for Your Voice in prayer, and to recognise Your Presence in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.
Saint Hildegard, faithful servant of God, you who sought to know and love the Lord with your whole heart, intercede for me before the Throne of God.
Help me to become attentive to His Will, and courageous in following the path He has placed before me.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen, by your faithful intercession, hear and present my prayer before God.
(Here state your intention.)
Holy Hildegard, pray that I may receive the wisdom and strength necessary to endure the trials of life with faith.
Help me not to become discouraged when the way is difficult. Teach me to trust in Divine Providence, and to surrender myself to the Wisdom of God.
Ask the Lord to renew whatever has become dry within me.
Where my heart has become barren, may His Grace bring new life.
Where I have been wounded, may His Mercy bring healing.
Where I have become fearful, may His Spirit give me courage.
Where I have lost my way, may His Wisdom guide me.
Where I have grown weary, may His Love restore me.
Saint Hildegard, help me to discover the sacredness of ordinary life, and to recognise that every day presents an opportunity to love God and serve others.
Teach me to see creation with wonder and gratitude.
Help me to understand that all creation comes from the Loving Hand of God, and that we are called to be faithful stewards of His gifts.
Teach me to seek harmony rather than division. Help me to choose peace rather than conflict. Inspire me to seek charity rather than selfishness. Help me to grow in wisdom, rather than pride.
Saint Hildegard, you who praised God through sacred music, teach me to make my own life a hymn of thanksgiving.
When I cannot find words, let my heart pray.
When I suffer, help me to trust.
When I rejoice, teach me to give thanks.
When I am afraid, remind me that God is near.
When I am uncertain, lead me toward the Light of Christ.
I ask you, dear Saint Hildegard, to accompany me throughout this novena, and to intercede for my intention before Almighty God.
Help me to become more like you in humility and wisdom. May I emulate your courage and life of prayer. Inspire me to grow in love of God, all others, and creation; as you did.
Above all, lead me ever closer to Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, Divine Wisdom, and Light of the world.
May the Holy Spirit renew me with His living Grace, that my life may become fruitful in faith, hope and charity.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen, faithful daughter of the Church, pray for us.
Saint Hildegard, servant of Divine Wisdom, pray for us.
Saint Hildegard, vessel of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Saint Hildegard, witness to the beauty of God's creation, pray for us.
Saint Hildegard, guide me ever closer to Christ.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Nine Day Novena
Make your novena by praying for the following, on nine consecutive days;
- Day One - Divine Wisdom: Pray to seek the Wisdom of God.
- Day Two - The Holy Spirit: Pray for openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Day Three - Viriditas: Pray for renewal and spiritual growth.
- Day Four - Creation: Pray that you may perceive God's Glory in the created world.
- Day Five - Healing: Pray for healing of body, mind and soul.
- Day Six - Sacred Music: Pray that your life may become a hymn of praise to God.
- Day Seven - Courage and Truth: Pray that you may become faithful in witnessing to Christ.
- Day Eight - Families and Communities: Pray for harmony, peace and charity within your families and communities.
- Day Nine - Holiness: Pray that you may persevere in your vocation and reach Heaven's destination.
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