For some the unofficial Patroness of Ecology is the multi-talented Benedictine abbess
Hildegard of Bingen. Although faced with health problems, she led a very active life beyond convent leadership as a naturalist, healer, poetess, writer, artist, visionary and composer of music and plays. While Benedict (6th c.) shows us a Stewardship Model in relationship to Creation and Francis a Kinship Model, Hildegard reveals a Communion Model of fruitful love.
This model flows from the great love of God for Creation. Due to God's active love in all of Creation, every creature has what it needs to be creatively fruitful. God is the power that empowers all of Creation, not just to exist, but to be "green", fertile, to be creatively fruitful. We can delight in the "greening" of the earth, its beauty, radiance and fertility. The Creator gifts, embraces, kisses and loves all of Creation. Humans share in the great privilege of co-creating and loving. For Hildegard, we need the "greening" power of faith to be creatively fruitful in working with the earth and doing deeds of justice, peace and love.
Does Hildegard speak to our lives? To our times?
