Pilgrimage – Day 9

Hildegard’s Feast Day

The present day community of sisters and the town of Eibingen and Rüdesheim celebrate the Feast of St Hildegard each September 17th. We joined in celebration with several hundred pilgrims in the courtyard of the Parish Church of Eibingen. This is the home of the Hildegardis Reliquary, usually displayed in the high altar, under a secure glass case. But today, the ornate gold-gilded reliquary is carried outside, placed on an altar, and adorned with flowers. (See photo).

The service of celebration includes a procession through the decorated streets of Eibingen. This ancient expression of devotion and reverence honours the faith and witness of Hildegard and reminds us we are walking in the footsteps of many pilgrims who traveled the path of faith before us.

Later we returned to the Abbey where the sisters led a special Vespers in honour of Hildegard.

We all make pilgrimages. Some are outward journeys to special places or new experiences. Some are into our interior landscape. May you pause to offer gratitude today for fellow pilgrims who have journeyed with you.

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September 9-19 Rev. Shawn is on Pilgrimage in Germany: “Hildegard of Bingen and the Greening Power of God”.

St. Hildegard was a 12th century  German Benedictine abbess. She was a mystic, composer, artist, poet, healer, and preacher. These short blog posts share some highlights from Rev Shawn’s pilgrimage.

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