Our Shepherdess Rosa
The shepherd image is foundational to Christianity. In the Hebrew Scriptures, King David was a shepherd before he was chosen to become a spiritual leader (1 Samuel 17:34-36). Jesus is…
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Star Memorial Stones
In the front yard of the church, we have a space designated for personalized stone stars made by members of our community. Each star is as unique as the member…
Fennel Herb
Fennel is one of St. Hildegard’s prized herbs. In her work, Physica, she wrote: “Fennel has a mild heat and is of neither a dry nor cold nature… In whatever…
Lavender Herb
There are a handful of herbs which are indispensable to our gardens. Lavender is one of our cherished herbs. The entry in Hildegard’s work Physica is brief, however it is…
Yarrow Herb
St. Hildegard likely spent many hours of her life working in the monastery infirmary – first at the male Benedictine Monastery at Disibodenberg where she was tithed as a child,…
Hops Flower
Hops is most well-known for its use in making beer. This is true not only today, but was true in Hildegard’s time and for thousands of years earlier. With further…
Calendula Herb
Calendula is a beautiful herb. It’s yellow-orange flowers (not to be confused with marigolds) brighten our herb gardens. In addition, they make a brilliantly colored moisturizing salve when infused in…
Horehound Herb
“Horehound is hot, has much moisture, and is effective against various infirmities” (24). Horehound is a bitter herb that has been used for centuries for a wide range of ailments,…
Oregano Herb
Oregano is a common culinary herb. It seems, however, that Hildegard did not use oregano as a common kitchen herb. She used oregano for medicinal purposes only. She actually felt…