Today it's Egeria vs. Hildegard of Bingen. The world's original "Mystery Worshipper" vs. a 12th century renaissance woman. Both have had a major impact upon the Christianity we have inherited, yet only one will advance to the Saintly Sixteen. We're expecting a flurry of comments on this. Let the agonizing over votes begin!
But first, speaking of comments, sometime during yesterday's battle between Jackson Kemper and Margery Kempe, we passed the 20,000 comment milestone on the Lent Madness website. That's a lot of conversation about holy people, don't you think?
Oh, and Kemper trounced Kempe 74% to 26% meaning he'll face the winner of Bernard Mizecki vs. Margaret of Antioch in the Saintly Sixteen.
Egeria
Egeria gives us the earliest glimpse we have into organized Christian practice and belief.
We don’t know much about who she was, exactly. Many say she was a Spanish nun, which makes sense given her unusually high level of literacy — and the way she addressed those she wrote to as sisters. Others point out she must have been an unusual sort of nun, if she was a nun at all. Her letters were detailed and practical, betraying none of the fascination with the miraculous and fanciful that some other clerical pilgrims loved. And what sort of nun was free to travel around the known world for years at a time? Possibly this made her a sort of wandering monastic — additionally unusual for her time. Or maybe she was a very devout noblewoman, called to pilgrimage, who wrote letters home to other devout women at her church.
Egeria traveled across much of the known world during 381-384 CE to Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, Constantinople, and Edessa. Her letters were collected in monasteries and copied, then copied again. They were housed in the library of Monte Cassino, and the oldest surviving copies were made there in the eleventh century.
Egeria recorded everything: she stayed in Jerusalem to witness an entire liturgical year and wrote down the liturgical practices of the local Christians. She described the holy sites on the Mount of Olives and the rituals around Holy Week. She told of the ritual of the eucharist as practiced in Jerusalem, and Egeria applauded the practice of reading from the Old and New Testaments as well as passages from the gospels. She described the process by which catechumens were taught the faith and baptized. It is from Egeria that we know about Holy Week rituals like the veneration of the Cross and the procession of the palms on Palm Sunday. It is also from her that we hear for the first time of the Easter Vigil and lighting of the first fire of Easter.
She described liturgical practice at a time when Christian beliefs were just becoming unified across the known world. Remember, the Second Ecumenical Council met in 384 CE, so Egeria was traveling and writing about liturgical practice before the formalization of the Nicene Creed, much less other traditions of the Church.
Through her bravery, her wandering feet, and her meticulous eye for detail, Egeria connected our liturgical practice with that of our earliest sisters and brothers in Christ.
Collect for Egeria
Jesus, our brother, as we, like Egeria, dare to follow in the steps you trod, be our companion on the way. May our eyes see not only the stones that saw you but the people who walk with you now; may our feet tread not only the path of your pain but the streets of a living city; may our prayers embrace not only the memory of your presence but the flesh and blood who jostle us today. Bless us, with them, and make us long to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Amen.
Hildegard
Hildegard of Bingen is one of the most accomplished women in church history. The twelfth-century abbess was a mystic, theologian, composer, cloistered nun, and autodidact who wrote one of the largest bodies of letters to survive from the Middle Ages.
Born into a noble family and sickly from birth, Hildegard experienced visions beginning in early childhood. Perhaps because of them, her family dedicated her to the church; her fellow brides of Christ recognized her gifts for leadership, unanimously voting her abbess.
At the age of forty-two, Hildegard received a divine vision to“write down that which you see and hear.” Hesitant to do so, she resisted and became physically ill. “But I, though I saw and heard these things, refused to write for a long time through doubt and...in the exercise of humility, until, laid low by the scourge of God, I fell upon a bed of sickness; then, compelled at last by many illnesses...I set my hand to the writing.”
Later, she commissioned an ornate manuscript of her writings, including images of her visions. The original was lost in World War II, but its images were preserved in a copy painted in the 1920s. Notably, these theological works contain one of the earliest descriptions of purgatory.
Hildegard’s musical compositions make up one of the largest extant medieval collections in the world. Her medical writings demonstrate her vast experience in the monastery’s herbal garden and infirmary. Physica and Causae et Curae provide a rare view into the practical medicine employed primarily by medieval women. Hildegard believed there was a vital connection between the natural world and human health. Her reputation as a medical writer and healer was used in early arguments for women’s right to attend medical school. Hildegard also invented an alternative mystical language, the Lingua Ignota, perhaps to strengthen the bonds among her nuns, and potentially as a result of all that time she spent in her herb garden.
On September 17, 1179, Hildegard died, and two beams of light were said to shine across the sky and into her room. Her relics are housed in her parish in Eibingen, Germany. In Anglican churches, she is commemorated on the day of her death.
Modern feminist scholars have drawn attention to the way Hildegard strategically belittled herself and other women in her writing, and thus claimed her wisdom had solely divine origin, giving her the authority to speak in a time and place where few women could do so. She also stated that, “woman may be made from man, but no man can be made without a woman.”
In space, the minor planet 898 Hildegard is named for her, which only seems fair, given her astronomical intellect and accomplishments.
Collect for Hildegard
God of all times and seasons: Give us grace that we, after the example of thy servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of thy creation, and show forth thy glory not only with our lips but in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Vote!
[poll id="119"]
364 comments on “Egeria vs. Hildegard”
As a musician this was the easiest vote so far.
A long deliberation! As a singer and church musician I've always loved Hildegard. But because of Egeria we are linked to traditions from the early Church, especially the incomparable Holy Week liturgies. Egeria gets my vote today, and my heartfelt thanks.
Hildegard is the quintessential Renaissance woman...bring on a more difficult decision.
Church ritual as we know it today wouldn't exist w/o Egeria. Just another woman reporting the news to the world. Not quiiiite up there with the Marys and Martha, a little closer to the Phoebes and Dorcases, but vital nonethess!
I'm busting my own bracket again today, but reading about Egeria reminds me just how important I believe her travels and letters were.
As my Episcopal 101 class looks forward during Lent to the Easter feast, we are spending each Sunday discussing another day of Holy Week in order to be prepared to fully celebrate the Paschal mystery.
Today I'm reminded just how great a debt we owe to Egeria for helping us imaginatively to walk in Jesus' steps during his last days in Jerusalem.
Some of our parishioners will actually go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land this fall, following very literally in Egeria's steps. For the rest of us, her writings and the Church's Holy Week services will take us there in spirit.
The Liturgy of Jerusalem, according to Egeria.
(In user-friendly format: with one easy click, you can directly go to Egeria's description of a specific liturgy-- the Palm Sunday procession, Stations, the Veneration of the Cross, the Vigil of Easter, etc.):
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/jhs/TSspeger.html
Wow - thanks for this link!
Hildegard's music alone transports us to the mystical world of the divine. "A Feather on the Breath of God," indeed.
Ha ha, what herbs did she grow? "Hildegard also invented an alternative mystical language, the Lingua Ignota,... potentially as a result of all that time she spent in her herb garden." I'm voting for the one who spent her time recording so many of the rituals we now treasure--Egeria!
I'm a musician who has lived with migraines for over 30 years, so it's Hildegard, no question.
Yesterday we were encouraged to post a comment and add to the discussion.
Okay, here I go:
This is my first "Lent Madness". I have no interest in basketball and am generally distainful of college sports, so I was skeptical about anything resembling "March Madness", though curious about how this would work. I did not fill out the bracket in advance; I read/pray/vote each day and keep track of that.
I'm a "cradle Episcopalian" which means I grew up "learning" that only Catholics worried about "Saints" 🙂 About 10 years ago I started reading the online Morning Prayer posted over at missionstclare.com and was fascinated by the James Kiefer Hagiographies. Unfortunately, I was totally underwhelmed by the "Official" "Holy Women, Holy Men" when I read the drafts online. I felt it totally lacked "soul" and often lacked basic information (my apologies to any of its authors who might be reading this).
So, I'm enjoying revisiting some of the Holy Women and Holy Men, but I'm afraid I am baffled by most of the results of these polls. I can only conclude I have little in common with most of the folks voting.
Which brings me to my main point/question: What are the characteristics we/you use to evaluate "holiness" or "sainthood"? Is this more than just a popularity contest? How do we/you weigh/compare the people presented in the pairings to decide who "wins"?
Sorry this is so long, it will likely be my first and last post. Further apologies if the non-Egeria/Hildegard portion should have been posted somewhere else.
It's for fun. The whole thing - I mean, we're voting for saints in a single-elimination, head-to-head bracket format! - is quite absurd, which to me is a strong clue not to take the "contest" part too seriously.
It's all pretty tongue-in-cheek - and as this post ( https://www.lentmadness.org/2015/03/commenters-we-salute-you/ ) points out, it's garnered over 20,000 comments about the saints of the church! Show me another place you find that kind of action.
People become interested in saints that are barely known at all anymore - like Egeria and Cuthbert - and decide to read more about them. We learn more about history and about the way people have lived out their faith in times and places different from our own. What's not to like about all that?
Welcome to the Madness.
Deluca, there is no knowing how anyone will respond to any saint on any given day. Neither does it matter: all saints, even the least likely or understood, are on a calendar because they do speak to people, perhaps when we least expect it. Enjoy the journey in the understanding that all these saints have been somewhere around here before us. (the other Barbara)
That's a really important point, Barbara - that these people speak to all of us in different and various ways. It's always been that way, I think; saints have been thought of as "patrons" of particular aspects of human life for just that reason.
(I added my last initial to avoid future confusion..... 😉 )
I felt that way at first too but as I continued I found that it is a fun, interactive way to learn about the saints and church history as well as to connect with others. You can take it as seriously or not as you want and I have found both mindsets throughout.
I am also a cradle Episcopalian but sometimes I think we didn't get enough of this stuff.....I really enjoy learning now.
For one who has led a nomadic existence, at least in part because of service to the church, Egeria's travels resonate. And to think the trials of travel weren't offset by banking frequent flyer miles.
Para dejar de ser otro lurker voy a comentar que me encanta que Egeria sea una española tan importante en la historia de la Iglesia. Me alegro de que (y agradezco a Dios que) ella nos haya traído esta información histórica sobre las tradiciones originales de nuestros hermanos. Amén. 🙂
For the first time I am not voting at the first descriptions of today's opponents. I can usually make up my mind quickly, but today - NOooooooo! I will continue reading posts and will most likely vote later this evening.
I went into today's match up already planning to vote for Hildegard since I had read a book about Hildegard. However when I read about Egeria, I changed my mind. Some of the most treasured rites and practices Of the church year are mine to celebrate because of Egeria's descriptions of them. The different ceremonies of Holy Week and the Easter Vigil are practices that I truly appreciate and would hate to do without. Thank you, Egeria!
Wow, talk about mind games! I was going to vote for Egeria, because although I love Hildegard I figured Egeria would be the underdog, and worth learning more about. Then I checked the results and found that she was actually ahead! So I'm going with Hildegard after all.
My vote was accompanied by great wailing and gnashing of teeth. Two wonderful women who have contributed so much to the church. I am profoundly grateful for both, but voted for Egeria because to hear a woman's voice from the fourth century is rare and glorious. And her collect is very moving too 🙂
I've sung Hildegard's moving, ecstatic music for many years. I must vote for her, but I'm interested in finding out more about Egeria!
This challenge brought me out of the shadows, no longer a lurker! While listening to the strains of Hildegard's music, I voted for Egeria. I've always appreciated Hildegard, but the history of a woman who travels and writes about everything strikes a chord deep within me. (Thanks to the commenter who posted the Hildegard playlist.)
A cruel duel, such amazing women. But I felt Egeria did more to make our religion what it is today through preserving early practices and educating us. Not to mention an amazing role model for women. Unimaginable travels for a woman in those times. So I vote for Egeria with some sadness as I listen to this heartbreakingly beautiful music Hildegard gave us plus I'm a gardener with herb beds. So it's hard to vote against her.
A very difficult choice..........wish it could be a tie. I admire what Egeria did, but years ago a friend and I were in Germany and stumbled upon Bingen and the fountain in the square. So hard to choose.......I love the liturgy of the church but am and have been deeply involved in the music of the church........my vote goes to Hildegard!
Although Egeria is a fascinating person with an impressive life, I went with Hildegard because of her music--only one of her many accomplishments. Many years ago, one of the choirs I was in did a program devoted almost entirely to Hildegard's music, with maybe a little padding from other plainsong hymns, and it was mind-blowing. Not only her music, but her own lyrics, which show her ecstatic mysticism ("The sun's warmth trickled into you like the fragrance of balsam").
Hildegard's my gal!
I admire both these women, but voted for Egeria. When I think of the people sitting in the pews in any given Episcopal church, I think that their spiritual lives have been more influenced by Egeria. Our celebration of the church year, especially Holy Week, would have suffered had not Egeria been so meticulous in sharing what she experienced of those celebrations in the Holy Land. Those celebrations in our churches today inform the spiritual lives of contemporary Christians as we walk the way of the Cross through Lent. Hurrah for Egeria! And thank God for both these women.
Thus far a lurker, but feeling compelled to comment today because this has been, for me, the hardest choice yet. Love of liturgy swayed me at first, but then I listened to some of Hildegard's music and that in combination with her reluctance to follow God's plan for her to write until she could deny it no longer pulled me over to that side. Still I can't help but think about voting for the "underdog" relative unknown whose contribution to our rich tradition is great. What to do?
I toured the Holy Land with the St George College and I'm a gardener and love music. what to do. I will vote later after I let all this information sift through my brain.
I voted for Egeria because I never heard of her. I have always felt a deep connection to unnamed people of ages past who lived out their lives as best they could and who followed their faith and taught their children. They may be now unremembered but I know that their faith and lives helped to build the great chain of faith that stretches to eternity.
Likewise my own circle of influence may be small but with all of our small circles the chain continues.
It was hard not to vote for Hildegard for the music and the medicine.
Hildegard all the way! She and Mary Magdalene are my two favorite women saints, so it's only right that she follow in Mary Magdalene's steps to the Golden Halo. 🙂 I was blessed to be part of a week-long icon workshop where Hildegard was beautifully written by each of the participants. I treasure my icon of her.
Go Hildegard!
i had to vote for Hildy because you forgot to include her recipe for Nerve Cookies in the Saintly Scorecard. Tsk Tsk.
A difficult choice but I voted for Egeria because of the courage it would have taken in her days for a woman to do all that she did and that she did it so well that people preserved it down through the ages. What kind of foundation would Hildegard have been able to build on if it hadn't been for others like Egeria? Hildegard added much but Egeria preserved foundations and I find it incredible that in the 1970s we went back to much of what she reported on 1600 years earlier such as 3 readings and the Holy Week liturgies.
Many thanks to Cassandra for posting the music of Hildegard. Would not have thought to pursue it on my own. I did,however, vote for Egeria. A difficult choice,indeed.
This is the hardest matchup to date. Both saints are hugely deserving. I voted for Egeria in the end because I am fascinated by early Church history.