R1: Eugen III. an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Apostolic Greeting to Hildegard
Eugenius addresses Hildegard with a formal apostolic salutation and blessing.
Eugenius, servant of the servants of God! To Hildegard, beloved daughter in the Lord. To the abbess on the mount of blessed Robert. Greeting and apostolic blessing.
Marveling at God's New Miracles
The pope expresses astonishment at God's new miracles poured out through Hildegard.
We marvel, O daughter. And we marvel beyond what can be believed. Because God is now showing new miracles in our times. Since he has so poured through you with his Spirit!
Acknowledging Her Visions with Humility
The pope acknowledges trustworthy testimony about Hildegard's visions while confessing his own negligence in discernment.
We are amazed that you say you see and understand many secrets. And that you bring them forth. We've received this as truth from trustworthy people, who confess that they themselves have both seen and heard you. But what can we say in response to these things? We, who hold the key of knowledge, can both shut and open! And yet we neglect to do this prudently through our own foolishness? We congratulate you, therefore, on the grace of God.
Exhortation to Guard Grace and Speak Wisely
The pope rejoices in her love but warns against pride, urging her to guard her grace and bring forth her visions with discernment and wisdom.
We rejoice with you in your love. We say this as a warning, so that you may know that God opposes the proud! But to the lowly he gives grace. And as for this grace that is within you: preserve it and guard it carefully. So that you may discern what things are to be brought forth in the Spirit. Bring them forth wisely. To the end that you may hear that word. Open your mouth!
Blessing for the New Foundation
The pope gives his blessing and permission for Hildegard's move to a new monastic foundation under Benedictine rule.
And I will fulfill that. What you intimated to us about that place, which you foresaw for yourself in the Spirit. Let this be done with our permission and blessing, and that of your bishop! So that there you may live according to rule with your sisters. According to the rule of holy Benedict, under the enclosure of the place.
Read the original Latin
Eugenius seruus seruorum dei! dilectę in domino filię hildegardi. prepositę in monte beati Roberti. salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Miramur o filia. et supra id quod credi potest miramur. quia deus iam nostris temporibus noua miracula ostendit. cum te spiritu suo ita perfudit!
quod diceris multa secreta uidere intelligere. et proferre. Hoc a quibusdam ueridicis personis ita esse percepimus. qui se fatentur te et uidisse et audisse. Sed quid nos ad hęc dicere ualemus. qui clauim scientię habentes ita quod claudere et aperire possumus! et hoc prudenter facere per stulticiam negligimus? Congratulamur igitur gratię dei.
congratulamur et dilectioni tuę. hoc admonentes ut scias quod deus superbis resistit! humilibus autem dat gratiam. Gratiam autem hanc quę in te est conserua et custodi. ita ut ea que in spiritu proferenda senseris. prudenter proferas. quatenus illud audias. aperi os tuum!
et adimplebo illud. Quod autem insinuasti nobis de loco illo quem in spiritu tibi preuidisti. hoc permissione et benedictione nostra et episcopi tui fiat! ita quod ibi regulariter cum sororibus tuis uiuas. secundum regulam sancti Benedicti sub clausura loci.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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