Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was the tenth child born into a family of minor German nobility and, as such, was considered a "tithe child." Her parents dedicated her to the religious life when she was only eight years old. She would go on to distinguish herself as a remarkable woman at a time in history when women were distinctly unremarkable.

Despite illness and various handicaps, Hildegard produced major works of theology and visionary writing; she was consulted by noblemen, kings and popes; she wrote about natural history and documented the medicinal uses of plants; she composed music and poetry which defied the conventions of her time. Perhaps most importantly, she founded a vibrant religious order where her music was performed as sung prayer.

"There is the Music of Heaven in all things, and we have forgotten how to hear it until we sing." For Hildegard, music in the form of sung prayer was the highest form of human activity since it mirrored the sounds of angelic praise. She referred to the human soul as symphonic in that it has the capacity to participate in music that is both earthly and heavenly at the same time: earthly because the music of mankind is produced "artificially" by man-made means and heavenly because music recalls the pure words of praise in which Adam participated before the fall. In Hildegard's theology, then, sung prayer was a vehicle which recaptured the essence of Paradise before the advent of sin.

Many of us are moved listening to favorite pieces of music. Is it any wonder then, that the use of music in worship is capable of producing powerful and transforming effects? Catholics are often accused of not singing, and when we do sing, it is usually not with the same fervor as our Christian brethren.

At the end of the Preface, the presider speaks these words: "And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise." Let us challenge ourselves to participate in this opportunity for sung prayer with our whole hearts, minds and voices; it is not often in today's world that one has the sensation of being a little closer to God while in the company of angels.