R153: Äbtissin G. von N. an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Blessing
The abbess G. sends a humble, loving greeting to Hildegard and blesses God for revealing unprecedented mysteries through her.
A certain abbess to Hildegard. To Hildegard, most loving lady and most beloved mother in Christ. G., abbess, though unworthy, of the sisters of the church of N., to see the king of glory in his beauty, and to rejoice with him forever. Blessed is God, who has made the mysteries of his secrets heard by the world, things never heard before.
God's Marvelous Work through Hildegard
The abbess marvels that God makes Himself known through Hildegard, strengthening faith and illuminating His church with new signs, and calls all to bless Him.
In our own times, he wonderfully deigns to make himself known through you. And through you, O most holy mother, he strengthens our faith. He illuminates his holy church with the power of his signs, shining more brightly than before, as if with the rays of a new sun, in a way utterly beyond description. Oh, who has ever heard of such things? Who has seen anything like this? So let each one of us speak. Let us all speak. Blessed be God.
Longing, Love, and Intercession
Unable to visit in person, the abbess declares her spiritual union with Hildegard, asks for her intercession, and promises perpetual blessed remembrance.
I long with the deepest desire to see the face of your holiness and to hear the divine words from your lips, but because the present circumstances and the distance between us prevent me from fulfilling this through bodily presence, in heart and soul I will always see you. I will always love you. I pray also to your holiness, O most holy mother, that you deign to intercede before God — who without doubt hears you — for me, a sinner, and for our congregation, which joins me in beseeching you. Know, too, that the memory of you will always be held in blessing among us! And the name of the Lord will be glorified through you. Pray for us, most devoted mother and lady. Above all this, we ask.
A Plea for Consoling Letters
The abbess urgently asks Hildegard to send letters of consolation and prays that Christ may gather them together in His kingdom.
Then, for God's sake, then, for the love of a mother's affection — please don't put off sending us your letters of consolation in the near future. Christ the Lord, may he see fit to gather us with you in his kingdom.
Read the original Latin
Abbatissa quędam. hildegardi. Hildigardi amantissimę dominę et in christo matri dilectissimę. G. abbatissa licet indigna sororum ęcclesię N. regem glorię in suo decore uidere. et cum eo gaudere perenniter. Benedictus deus qui misteria secretorum suorum mundo antea numquam audita.
temporibus nostris mirifice per te declarare dignatur. fidemque nostram per te o mater sanctissima confirmat. et sanctam ęcclesiam suam solito fulgentioribus signorum suorum uirtutibus uelut quibusdam noui solis radijs ineffabiliter illuminat. O quis umquam ista audiuit? Quis uidit talia? Ergo dicamus singuli. dicamus omnes. benedictus deus.
Uultum sanctitatis uestrę uidere et uerba ex ore uestro diuina audire cupio ardentissime sed quia hoc pro tempore et locorum instantia per presentiam corporis implere non ualeo. corde et animo te semper uidebo. te semper amabo. Precor etiam sanctitatem tuam o mater sanctissima ut pro me peccatrice et pro congregatione nostra tibi mecum supplicante ad deum qui te procul dubio exaudit intercedere digneris. Scias quoque quod memoria tua apud nos semper in benedictione erit! et nomen domini per te magnificabitur. Ora pro nobis piissima mater et domina. Super hęc omnia rogamus.
tum pro deo. tum pro materno affectu. ut nobis consolationis tuę litteras mittere in proximo non differas. Christus dominus noster. in regno suo nos tecum congregare dignetur.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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