R137: Propst A. von Erfurt an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Prayer of Thanksgiving
The provost of Erfurt greets Hildegard as the beloved bride of Christ and offers continual thanks for her widespread, sweet influence.
The provost of Erfurt. To Hildegard. Lady Hildegard, beloved bride of Christ. A. Of Erfurt, though unworthy. Devoted in prayer and the affection of service. We never stop offering thanks to your holiness, which is known far and wide. Which greets very many with so sweet a greeting of letters.
Longing, Consolation, and Intercession
The provost expresses deep longing to see Hildegard, seeks her consolation, and prays that God complete His work in her and share her goodness through her prayers.
It's with longing that we long to see you. And to be gladdened at some point by the most generous words of your consolation. And burning with the presence of your face, to be made joyful through you. From our innermost heart we pray and we hope. May the divine mercy, then — that began so holy and so magnificent a work in you — bring it to completion by God's own power!1 And through your constant prayer make us partakers of that same goodness of yours.
Commendation and Closing Blessing
The provost commends a trusted bearer and himself to Hildegard's love, asking for merciful reception and the Holy Spirit's voice through her.
Now, then — the bearer [REDACTED] this letter, that is, our dear friend who makes the journey to you in the love of God and in reverence for your godliness.2 We commend ourselves to your love most faithfully! May I be received mercifully by you. May the Holy Spirit graciously speak through your mouth and be heard through you.
Read the original Latin
Prepositus erphodie. hildegardi. Dominę hildegardi sponsę christi dilectę. A. erphodię licet indignus. deuotę orationis et obsequij affectum. Gratiarum actiones sanctitati uestrę longe lateque respersę assurgere non cessamus! quę tam dulci litterarum salutatione quam plurimos salutat.
Desiderio namque desideramus uidere uos. et benignissimis consolationis uestrę uerbis quandoque iocundari. et uultus uestri presentia flagrantes per uos letificari. intimo corde oramus et optamus. Diuina ergo clementia quę tam sanctum tamque magnificum opus in uobis cepit. diuinitus perficiat! et eiusdem bonitatis uestrę per assiduam orationem uestram nos participes efficiat. Nunc igitur litterarum latorem scilicet familiarem nostrum amore dei et pietatis uestrę iter ad uos facientem.
dilectioni uestrę fidelissime commendamus! quatenus a uobis clementer susceptus. spiritus sancti per os uestrum loquentis uerba per uos audire mereatur.
Notes
- 1 ↩diuinitus perficiat: the subject is carried over from the previous sentence (Diuina clementia); the optative subjunctive expresses a prayer-wish. Rendered with exclamation to capture the devotional force.
- 2 ↩pietatis uestrę: pietas here carries the sense of devout holiness or godliness rather than mere 'piety'; rendered as 'reverence for your godliness' to capture the honor paid to Hildegard's sanctity.
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