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Program Details

It has taken 800 years to declare Hildegard (1098-1179) a Saint and Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church. She was a musician (who wrote the first opera in the West), a scientist, a healer, a painter, an abbess and reformer and prophet. Demanding reform of society’s institutions and social structures, Hildegard implores all of us to live in integrity with our espoused principles. She especially implores our leaders to wield their influence “wisely.” By pointing out the injustices of her time, we recognize them as the same injustices of our time – only magnified. She warns us of the consequences of the mistreatment and marginalizing of women, oppression of the poor and powerless, destruction of our environment, and the dangers of a patriarchal system run wild. She urges us to “be useful,” to nurture nature, to speak up against injustice wherever we find it. But she also reminds us to sing, to dance, to be creative, to celebrate life, and to “wake up.” We will explore and discuss some of her rich teachings.

“If one person deserved credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.  Hildegard was a mystical genus who could help to illumine the human soul spiritually, ecologically, politically—in every dimension of life.” -- Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices

A truly marvelous, useful, profound, and creative book.” -- From the Forward by Joan Chittister, OSB

Fee: $20. Once you have registered, you will receive a coupon for $5 off Dr. Rev. Fox’s book for this retreat when you purchase it from his website.

For other events in this series, check our Divine Friendships program page.

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