The Viriditas Project
Juniper Path by Mary Truly ErmeyHildegard of Bingen saw the Holy Spirit bringing green growing power to all of life, transforming dried-up and shriveled lives and institutions into a New Creation. She called that power Viriditas.
In a setting of nourishing community, the Viriditas Project forms spiritual leaders to serve their faith communities and to work for justice and healing for the world. The Curriculum offers six 10-week Core Classes in Spring and Fall over three years, and two 4-day summer retreats.
Reading and sharing reflections; poetry, art, music and other creative responses; building community in worship; silence; meals and classes—all help to create a way to awaken leaders who can foster transformation of our world into a new, compassionate and responsible society, at peace with ourselves, our communities, and the earth.
Created by St. Hildegard’s Community, the program provides companionship in the longing and search for meaning and connection to the holy. Development of the Viriditas Project was funded by a grant from Trinity Episcopal Church of New York.
The Viriditas Curriculum
The word curriculum comers from the Latin currere, to run or course, as a river does. The Viriditas Curriculum traces the stream that flows through the prophetic Vision statement and experience of spiritual formation at St. Hildegard’s Community.
Each of the six classes and two retreats is designed to be a self-contained unit and may be taken independently of the others and in any order, little dips into the same life-giving stream. To enroll in an individual class or retreat, simply sign up during its registration period.
In addition, support is provided those who wish to sign on to be guided through the entire course of study. The exhilarating and transformative accomplishment – of running the river and experiencing the whole – is recognized through certification.
The Viriditas Certification Program
Qualifications: Candidates need the following inner resources and qualities:
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● Open mind and open heart
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● Faithful attendance
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● Willing to participate wholeheartedly in all aspects of the program, including classes, worship, and communal meals
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● Commitment of time for readings and assignments
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● Willing to be self-reflective
The Admissions Process is designed to offer the beginning of a healthy nurturing relationship. When you submit an application, you will be contacted for an orientation interview with your advisor, who will meet with you during the entire course of study for ongoing support and guidance. Download the form here.
And send it to: viriditas(at)hildegard-austin.org
Standards: Teachers and retreat leaders must indicate satisfactory attendance, participation and completion of assignments for a unit to be applied to the Certificate.
The Viriditas Certificate will be awarded by the Servant Leadership School upon completion of all six core classes and both retreats.
Core Classes
The six Viriditas Project classes are offered in a 3-year cycle, with two semesters each year, starting in September and January. Classes can be taken selectively in any order.
Each class meets once weekly for ten weeks, on Thursdays from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m. beginning with a candlelit vegetarian meal (provided by participants on a rotating basis) followed by a brief worship. Class size is limited to ten (two sections of a class may be offered as needed). Enrollment includes your intention to attend all class sessions and to complete weekly readings and responsive assignments.
See list of classes...
Retreats
The Kindom Journey and Doing God’s Loving in the World are offered in alternate summers. Each begins on a Thursday with a light supper at 7:00, and ends with lunch on Sunday at noon. Doing God’s Loving in the World also includes three preparatory classes, held in Austin over a few weeks before the event. Meals are vegetarian, in a commitment to living lightly on the earth.
See more about the retreats...
The Servant Leadership School
The Core Classes of the Viriditas Project are offered by the Servant Leadership School, which was founded in 1992 in response to a yearning for deeply committed community that works for the healing of creation.
A fundamental presence in the creation of St. Hildegard’s Community, the School has continued to provide spiritual formation to members of other faith communities as well. The SLS is rooted in Christianity, is respectful and open to the wisdom of other sacred traditions, and models an active, contemplative and communal way of life.
