R167: Äbtissin R. von Gerbstedt an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Greeting
The abbess R. greets Hildegard with a devotional salutation, invoking grace, the heavenly race, and the mutual membership of believers.
The abbess in Gerbstedt. To Hildegard. To the venerable lady Hildegard, a burning and shining lamp. R. By the grace of God, abbess in Gerbstedt, though unworthy. So to run in the race. So that you may grasp the eternal prize. Since, as the apostle bears witness, each one is a member of the other.✦
Rejoicing in Hildegard's Holiness
The abbess rejoices that Hildegard's holy reputation and virtues have spread widely, stirring thanksgiving and a desire to share in her prayers.
Every member of the church's children has great reason to rejoice, because the reputation of your holiness is flying everywhere. The fragrance of your virtues became known throughout the whole church.✦ That fragrance has breathed even into our own regions. This calls us to give thanks to the author of all that is good. It stirred our hearts not a little. And so I, the least of the faithful, longing to share in your merits — I pray most earnestly that I may deserve to take part in the constancy of your prayers. If you grant this request —
Request and Farewell
The abbess offers her own prayers, asks to receive Hildegard's words, and closes with a farewell.
I promise you my prayer — though it is very poor, I offer it most willingly. Furthermore, I ask your ladyship, dear lady. Please send me something from your words — which must always be served with full devotion! And further, so that the memory of you may flourish all the more richly among us. Your goodness gladdens us by these things in equal measure. Farewell.
Read the original Latin
Abbatissa in gerbestethde. hildegardi. Uenerabili dominę hildegardi lucernę ardenti et lucenti. R. gratia dei in gerbestethde abbatissa licet indigna. sic currere in stadio. ut eternum comprehendatis brauium. Quoniam testante apostolo unusquisque membrum est alterius.
singulis ęcclesię filijs plurimum est gaudendum quod scilicet fama sanctitatis uestrę ubique peruolans. odorem uirtutum uestrarum per totam innotuit ęcclesiam. qui etiam in partibus nostris respirans. ad gratiarum actiones referendas auctori totius boni. nostra non modice excitauit corda. Vnde ego ultima fidelium participari cupiens meritis uestris. precor quam intime ut assiduitati precum uestrarum interesse merear. Quam peticionem si exaudieritis.
orationem meam licet uilissimam promptissimam uobis tamen promitto. Preterea rogo almitatem uestram domina amanda. ut aliquid mihi de uerbis uestris transmittatis omni deuotione semper deseruiendum! insuper quatenus memoria uestra tanto inter nos habundantius uigeat. quanto his bonitas uestra nos letificat. Valete.
Scripture echoes
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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