Blessed Jutta of Disibodenberg, also known as Blessed Jutta von Sponheim is a rather mysterious figure, of whom no biography was written. Jutta’s feast day was dropped from the new Roman Martyrology, but she is still listed in some lives of the saints. She is primarily remembered for her influence on the great mystic, Hildegard of Bingen, who was her niece. Jutta was born around 1091 in the Rhineland area of Germany. She was the youngest daughter of Count Stephen of Sponheim, a nobleman. Jutta soon joined the nearby Benedictine monastery of Disibodenberg as an anchoress—a nun who found God through seeking solitude. She lived in a small cell where food was passed in through the window to her. Jutta became the abbess of Disibodenberg and began to tutor young noblewoman who came to live with her and take lessons from her.

Six years later, Hildegard of Bingen came to take lessons from Jutta. Jutta taught Hildegard to read and write. She taught Hildegard how to chant the psalms and the liturgy of the hours. She taught her to play instruments and sing. Jutta practiced strict asceticism and lived in continual penance. Her pupil, Hildegard, responded to these practices of her mentor by practicing moderation in all things and softening the harsh penitential practices that Jutta embraced for herself.

Blessed Jutta died in 1136 and Hildegard succeeded her as abbess of the monastery. Although Jutta is not widely celebrated as a saint today, she is a beautiful example of the communion of saints. Saints, even if they live in a cell on their own, are not made in a vacuum—saints are made in a community. Great mystics like Hildegard, whose writing and visions have inspired many other saints with their beauty and poignancy, learn to see beauty from great teachers like Blessed Jutta von Sponheim.

Blessed Jutta of Disibodenberg, wise abbess and mentor—pray for us!