Customer Reviews

Praying with Hildegard of Bingen (Companions for the Journey)

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This is a simple introduction to some of the major themes of Hildegard of Bingen, and an invitation to take some of those themes and internalize them in daily prayer and meditation. It is not for the reader looking for a translation of Hildegard's writings, or for an in-depth study of her writings, music, etc. The author instead has excerpted a few passages and uses them as a means for the reader to reflect on his or her own life in reflection and prayer. If this is what you are looking for, it succeeds admirably.

Gloria Durka has written other books within the "Praying With" series which are very good (notably the one on Julian of Norwich), but this effort on Hildegard of Bingen was disappointing. While the introduction is a very good summary of Hildegard's life and times and some of the major themes of her writings, the actual chapters are quite shallow. There is simply not enough "meat" for prayer and reflection. More excerpts from her writings would have been welcome. However, for some, it may be a non-threatening introduction to this major figure.