Hildegard in Jung: Seven References to 12th-Century Hildegard of Bingen in the “Collected Works” of 20th-Century Carl G. Jung
With Avis Clendenen, Ph.D.
Celebrate Hildegard’s Feast Day
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m. U.S./Eastern via Zoom
$45
The Mercy For All Scholarship provides support for those experiencing financial challenges.
➔ Learn more and apply here.
About this offering
Seven references to 12th-century German Benedictine Abbess Hildegard of Bingen’s work exist in volumes 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 18 of Psychoanalyst Carl G. Jung’s “Collected Works.” While his reliance upon her as an illustration of various points is not overwhelming by any means, the fact is he makes note of Hildegard in seven different volumes of his work spanning decades in the development of his thinking. She is not a passing fancy, but a figure that functioned for years in the background processes of his imagination and theorizing. This virtual program on Hildegard’s Feast Day will be illustrated visually with slides and complemented by Hildegard’s music. It will offer a foray into Hildegard’s life and times (1098-1179) and examine these references, taking seriously Jung’s interest in a woman from another era upon whom he could rely while pioneering the rich, colorful, and symbolic spiritual terrain of the unconscious. Prescient relevance oozes from Hildegard into Jung’s consciousness leaving us a rich legacy so needed in our time.
About the presenter
Avis Clendenen (Ph.D. and D. Min., Chicago Theological Seminary) is Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Her faculty career included teaching in the area of practical theology and the intersection of Christian spirituality and depth psychology. She is the author of “Experiencing Hildegard: Jungian Perspectives”(Chiron Publications, 2012 & 2009). The release of the revised edition coincided with Hildegard officially being named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict on 7 October 2012. Avis is co-author with Sister Irene Dugan, r.c. of “Love Is All Around in Disguise: Meditations for Spiritual Seekers” (Chiron Publications, 2004); editor of “Spirituality in Depth: Essays in Honor of Sister Irene Dugan, r.c.” (Chiron Publications, 2002); and co-author with Troy W. Martin of “Forgiveness: Finding Freedom through Reconciliation” (Crossroad Publications, 2002).