When I first began my doctoral studies in Christian spirituality I had no real fondness for monasticism, I didn’t really get it at the time.  Despite having always had a very contemplative nature, I did not understand how monastics make a difference in the world. It was while studying for my history exam that I started to think otherwise.  I first fell in love with Hildegard of Bingen.  How could I resist falling for a woman who was abbess, artist, musician, writer, poet, theologian, mystic, preacher, spiritual director, healer, and visionary (not necessarily in that order)?  Oh, and she challenged