Lesbian and queer nuns have a long history in the church, abbeys giving them a space away from the pressures of marriage and hetero society. I wanted to acknowledge this history in my project, and in my research I was particularly drawn to St. Hildegard and St. Richardis’ stories. They have a deep and complex history together, with the two of them working at the same abbey, with Richardis’ role being similar to a secretary to Hildegard as she wrote her first book Scivias.

Later Richardis was sent to work at another abbey, and this is where most of the history between these two women are known, as Hildegard refused to give Richardis up, and forbid her from leaving. Her protests of Richardis’ relocation were so vocal that even the Pope got involved, ordering Hildegard to stop protesting and to allow Richardis to leave. Hildegard and Richardis continued to communicate after Richardis’ relocation, writing each other letters, but unfortunately most of these letters have been lost or destroyed. But in these letters Hildegard mourns Richardis’ loss as a lover, and begs for her return.

In my piece I symbolize their love and loss for each other with their embrace and both of them reaching for the letters they sent each other. I contrast their love with Hildegards obsession she developed with the Virgin Mary, as well as her obsessions with penance she describes in her later books. The whips on the border turn into a staff, with part of a composition Hildegard wrote on it. The flames by her head, the upturned eyes and feathers all symbolize her visions, prophecies, and mystic connections to God.