The Windows of Faith

This is a prayerful selection of Hildegard of Bingen's (1098-1179) visionary and prophetic writings. Penitence, joy, trust in God, delight in Mary and in the fiery power of the Holy Spirit, all these themes are captured in the prayers and songs within this collection. The first part of the prayers presented in the book contains texts that were not conceived or composed as prayers, but are taken from the flow of her visions. They are especially helpful to those who find themselves speechless before God. The second part of the collection contains 26 poems from Hildegard's 76 spiritual songs, which she carefully and artistically composed and adapted for liturgical prose. An introductory essay on Hildegard's thoughts aims to help readers interpret and better understand Hildegard's prayer language, and addresses a few focal points of her spirituality. The book encourages Christians to look through the "windows of faith".