Welcome to the St Hildegard Academy Eibingen e.V.

The St Hildegard-Academy Eibingen e.V. aims to raise awareness of the spiritual heritage of Europe. This is based on the conviction that a return to European values can offer answers to the challenges of the present and lead to a responsible future. As the Academy is part of the spiritual and research tradition of the Abbey of St Hildegard, it focuses on Benedictine spirituality, which is a fundamental element in European culture, and on the teachings of Hildegard of Bingen, who was elevated to the status of Doctor of the Church early in the 21st century.

Benedict of Nursia - Patron Saint of Europe

When Pope Paul VI declared Benedict of Nursia the patron saint of Europe in 1964, he paid tribute to the Benedictine contribution to the unity of Europe: "It was above all St Benedict and his monks who, with the cross, the book and the plough, brought Christian progress to the peoples from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, from Ireland to Poland ... Thus Benedict created in Europe that spiritual unity by virtue of which peoples who were divided on linguistic, ethnic and cultural levels felt that they were the one people of God; a unity which became the hallmark of the Middle Ages, thanks to the tireless work of the monks who followed in the footsteps of such a profound master. ... Saint Benedict, with the light of Christian civilization, succeeded in driving away the darkness and letting the gift of peace shine." (Apostolic letter “Pacis nuntius”)

Hildegard of Bingen - Doctor of the Church in the 21st Century

On the occasion of Hildegard of Bingen's elevation to the status of Doctor of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI writes: “Her message appears extraordinarily timely in today’s world, which is especially sensitive to the values that she proposed and lived. For example, we think of Hildegard’s charismatic and speculative capacity, which offers a lively incentive to theological research; her reflection on the mystery of Christ, considered in its beauty; the dialogue of the Church and theology with culture, science and contemporary art; the ideal of the consecrated life as a possibility for human fulfilment; her appreciation of the liturgy as a celebration of life; her understanding of the reform of the Church, not as an empty change of structure but as conversion of heart; her sensitivity to nature, whose laws are to be safeguarded and not violated.” (Apostolic letter “Lux sui populi”)