Volmar (monk) facts for kids

Volmar was a monk who lived a long time ago and died in 1173. He was a very important person in the life of Hildegard of Bingen, a famous nun and writer. Volmar was one of Hildegard's first teachers when she was young. He also became her trusted friend and helper at the Saint Disibod monastery.

Helping Hildegard with Her Visions

When Hildegard was a teenager, she started having special visions. These visions were like powerful dreams or messages from God. At first, she found it hard to talk about them. She shared her secret with Jutta, another teacher. Jutta then told Volmar.

Volmar was the first person to believe Hildegard's visions were real. He helped her understand them. He also encouraged her to write down everything she saw and heard. Even when Hildegard doubted herself, Volmar always told her to keep going. He knew she had a special gift from God.

A Close Friend and Helper

Volmar became Hildegard's secretary. This meant he helped her write down her visions and organize her books. They knew each other for over 60 years! Volmar was a very close friend to Hildegard. When he died in 1173, Hildegard was very sad because she had lost someone so important to her.

Volmar in a Special Play

Hildegard wrote a unique musical play called Ordo Virtutum. In this play, the Devil tries to trick and capture a Soul. The Devil is the only character who does not sing. This is because he has separated himself from all heavenly music.

Some people believe that Volmar might have been the one who spoke the Devil's part. He would have shouted his lines instead of singing them. This shows how important Volmar was to Hildegard's creative work.

Volmar as a Great Editor

Volmar was also Hildegard's best editor. An editor helps to make sure a book is clear and well-organized. Hildegard herself wrote about how much Volmar helped her with her books, especially her Book of Divine Works.

She said that Volmar was a happy man who followed the rules for monks very well. He listened carefully to every word of her visions. He helped correct them and make them more orderly. He always encouraged her to keep writing, even when she felt weak or sick.

Hildegard wrote that Volmar served God by supporting her until he died. After he passed away, she felt lost and asked God how she could continue her work without him.

Other wise men also helped Hildegard with her books after Volmar. These included Abbot Ludwig from Trier and Provost Wezelin from Cologne. They also found her visions to be wonderful and helped her finish her important work.

Hildegard believed that her books were created through God's grace and the help of many holy men like Volmar. She even heard the "living Light" (which meant God) say that Volmar and the other monks who helped would be rewarded.