R101: Burgundische Äbte an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting of the Abbots
Several Burgundian abbots send their greeting to Hildegard, identifying themselves by name and monastic affiliation.
Certain abbots to Hildegard, B. of Belleuallis, G. of a renowned place, A. of a renowned spring.
Joy in God's Graces
The abbots rejoice in God's renewed favors, offering heartfelt thanks to the giver of all spiritual charisms.
R. of love G. abbots called of Bethany! of Hildegard. of the chosen bride of Christ, to flourish in grace and to praise song together. To God, giver of all spiritual gifts, with the whole heart's jubilation we have paid the acts of thanks. who does not disdain to renew his ancient miracles of favor in our time.
God's Faithful Promises
The abbots affirm that God's promises are not empty, recalling Christ's words and recognizing the Spirit's work through Hildegard despite her humility.
From this we can easily see that we are not at all defrauded by his promises! By these words he once comforted his own people, saying: "Behold, I am with you! even to the end of the age." Although we may prove unworthy of these promises, still, with the Holy Spirit cooperating in your heart in this way, we recognize its inflated inner depths. so that though an unlearned person, I may write books
Hildegard as Christ's Bride
The abbots marvel at the wonders God works through Hildegard, portraying her as the bride of Christ resting in the Beloved's embrace.
and other wonders to be done, which those alive today ought to marvel at. let heavenly harmony breathe through wonderfully! and what was unknown to mortals may through you become known before their eyes. And what's so surprising about that? For now, I say — for truly she is Christ's bride, the immaculate one, leaning on your Beloved, whose left hand is under your head, and his right hand embraces you. who led you into his chamber.
A Humble Request for Revelation
The abbots humbly ask Hildegard to receive divine revelations on their behalf and to share them, commending a noble woman who comes with great devotion.
And God has excellently revealed her own secrets to you. So that the Lord may strengthen you in these things. Earnestly wishing for you. That some things about our condition might be divinely revealed to you, and that you would take care to make them known to us. We humbly beg this. But this woman is the bearer [REDACTED] those present, a noble woman. And she is the wife of a certain most loving man. She comes to you with great devotion, humbly and on foot!
A Barren Woman's Sorrow
The abbots explain that the noble woman has long been barren after losing her sons, and in deep grief she seeks refuge in Hildegard's prayers.
Although she could come with horses and a large retinue. But her reason for coming is this.1 She has now remained barren for a long time. Although, when she first bore children, they were boys. But those died, and she bore no others. She and her husband are stricken with intense grief. That is why she flees to you for refuge, you who are the handmaid and close associate of Christ. She has confidence that through your merits and prayers you may prevail upon God, so that she may yet be made fruitful.
Petition for Fruitful Intercession
The abbots earnestly ask Hildegard to stand before God in prayer for this woman and her husband, that they may obtain the offspring they long for.
and to present the blessed fruit of the womb in the procreation of offspring to Christ.✦ That is why we have been asked by her and by her husband. We ask you that in this petition you stand before God for them! and that what they long for they may deserve to obtain.
Read the original Latin
Quidam abbates. hildegardi. B. belleuallis. G. clari loci. A. clari fontis.
R. caritatis. G. bethanię dicti abbates! hildegardi. preelectę sponsę christi florere in gratiam et collaudare canticum. Cunctorum spiritalium deo largitori karismatum toto cordis iubilo gratiarum exsoluimus actiones. qui dignationis suę antiqua miracula nostro non dedignatur renouare in tempore.
Ex quo facile aduertimus. eius nos minime fraudari promissis! quibus suos olim consolatus est dicens. Ecce ego uobiscum sum! usque ad consummationem seculi. His licet nos indigni inueniamur promissis. eis tamen sic uestri cordis cooperante spiritu sancto recognoscimus inflata precordia. ut quamuis idiota condendi libros.
aliaque mira faciendi. Hisque qui inpresentiarum sunt stupendi. celestis mirabiliter aspiret armonia! et ante incognita mortalibus per uos fiant manifesta. Et quid mirum? Iam enim iam inquam ut uere christi sponsa et immaculata innixa super dilecto uestro cuius leua sub capite uestro. et eius dextera amplexatur uos. qui uos in suum cubiculum duxit.
suaque uobis secreta excellenter reserauit. Ut in his uos confortet dominus. sedulo uobis optantes. quatenus aliqua nobis de nostro statu diuinitus uobis reuelari nobisque insinuare curetis! hummiliter deposcimus. Sed hęc mulier presentium latrix femina nobilis est. et cuiusdam amantissimi uiri uxor est. Hęc deuotione multa uenit ad te humilis et pedestris!
cum in equis et multo comitatu posset uenire. Causa autem hęc est aduentus eius. Iam multo tempore sterilis permansit. cum tamen primum pueros genuerit. sed illis mortuis et alios non gignens. dolore uehementi afficiuntur ipsa et maritus eius. Hinc est quod ad te ancillam et familiarem christi confugit. habens fiduciam quod meritis et orationibus tuis obtineas apud deum ut possit adhuc fecundari.
et benedictum fructum uentris in prolis procreatione exhibere christo. Inde est quod nos ab ipsa et ab marito eius rogati. rogamus te ut in hac peticione pro ipsis stes apud deum! et quod desiderant mereantur obtinere.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Luke.1.42 — And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Notes
- 1 ↩The tokens h and c are normalized as split from hęc; sense is 'haec' (this).
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
Read one voice like Hildegard's every morning
Chosen Portion delivers daily excerpts from Hildegard and 77 other historic devotional writers, free on iOS.
Hildegard directed souls through short written portions sent one at a time, and Chosen Portion continues that letter-a-day rhythm as daily devotionals.
- Daily 2-minute readings including Hildegard's letters and visions
- 78 complete historic works, translated into modern readable English
- A weekly email tracing one writer's story in depth