R125: Propst C. in Indersdorf an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Blessing
The provost C. greets Hildegard, commends her reputation for holiness, and blesses her with a spirit of fortitude and holy love.
The provost in Indersdorf. To Hildegard. C. Called by God's grace provost in Indersdorf. To Sister Hildegard and the teacher on Mount Rupertsberg. May you abound in a spirit of fortitude. The devotion of your pious reputation has affected the minds of many, especially religious ones. And a certain sweetness of holy love has made it delightful.
Thanksgiving and Humility
The provost gives thanks to God for the grace bestowed on Hildegard, noting the virile strength given to a woman's heart, and explains his brevity out of deference to her busyness.
And so, for the grace divinely bestowed on you, we give thanks to the supreme Giver of all good things, who has sent manly strength into a woman's heart—1 not only to avoid shameful acts or crimes, but also to spend necessities on those in need, along with counsel and practical help. But because your ears are occupied, we speak briefly— we do not dare to draw out this discourse at length.
Petition for Consolation
The provost asks for Hildegard's clemency and requests the help of her consolation.
We ask, therefore, for your clemency. so that you would kindly give us the help of your consolation.
Read the original Latin
Prepositus in underesdorf. hildegardi. C. dei gratia dictus prepositus in underesdorf. sorori hildegardi et magistrę in monte sancti Roberti. in spiritu fortitudinis habundare. Vestrę pię opinionis deuotio multorum maxime religiosorum mentes affecit. et quadam sanctę dilectionis suauitate indulcorauit.
Unde pro gratia uobis diuinitus collata. grates summo referimus bonorum omnium largitori. qui femineo pectori robur immisit uirile. non solum ad deuitanda flagitia uel facinora. sed etiam ad impendenda indigentibus necessaria consilia simul et auxilia. Sed quia occupatis auribus uestris loquimur. in longum protrahere sermonem non audemus. Rogamus igitur clementiam uestram.
ut auxilium consolationis uestrę nobis benigne impendatis.
Notes
- 1 ↩femineo pectori … robur uirile: the contrast of feminine heart and virile strength is theologically loaded, praising God for granting Hildegard courage and authority beyond what her sex was thought to allow.
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