This piece is from St. Hildegard’s last theological work, the Book of Divine Works, completed just a few years before she died. This particular vision explains Hildegard’s understanding of the City of God and how it fits into the larger picture of salvation history. In other words, how do we successfully move from a fallen place (a place of darkness) to the heaven realm (illuminated by Living Light)?

This image depicts various points in our human history, including humanity before and following the flood and the law of circumcision. It also depicts the voice of the Holy Spirit trumpeted  through the prophets. God is depicted in this image as a green block, an immutable and powerful force existing from before time. Embedded in this rock is a red door or gate symbolizing the Will of God. Surrendering oneself to the Will of God (through the help of the virtues), will ultimately lead a person into the City of God or the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Hildegard’s visions often included buildings or structures as a way to communicate what she had seen. “Moreover, God established the heavenly dwelling and place of paradise in the same way that a person builds buildings for his subjects” (383).

This particular piece precedes the image of the Living Font in the Book of Divine Works and so it is placed in our sanctuary near our baptismal font. It is one of our newest acquisitions and was purchased at the Museum am Strom in Bingen, Germany.