R175: Äbtissin S. von Widergoldesdorff an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and praise
The abbess greets Hildegard with humble titles and praises her life of mercy and truth.
The abbess at Widergoldesdorff. To Hildegard. To her own Lady Hildegard. To the pious mother of the handmaids of Christ at the blessed Robert, to the Lord God of those who serve. The holy, humble servant and so-called governess of the sisters at Widergoldesdorff, to God and to holy Mary who are served. Heartfelt love and devoted service. I know, my lady, that all your ways are mercy and truth.✦ And this deservedly.
Petition for discernment
The abbess begs Hildegard to seek God's will about her office, confessing that obedience has outweighed love.
Because the mercy that brought the Son of God down from heaven to earth has looked with favor on you! And heavenly wisdom has prepared its dwelling place within you. Therefore, sweetest one, I earnestly beg you: that you would deign to seek an answer from God whether it is his will that I should carry this burden or set it aside! because I have persevered more under the constraint of obedience than out of love for God. For that reason — if only I dared.
Desire to lay down office
She expresses her longing to relinquish authority, the hardship of serving others' will, and closes with a humble farewell.
I would gladly leave this position of authority! Because it seems very hard to me to serve all the customs of others and to remain in their will. And so I don't expect to receive any reward myself. Farewell. Let few things be enough for a wise mind.
Read the original Latin
Abbatissa in vvidergoldesdorf. hildegardi. Dominę suę hildegardi. pię matri ancillarum christi apud beatum Robertum domino deo militantium. S. humilis ministra et dicta gubernatrix sororum apud vvidergoldesdorf deo et sanctę Marię seruientium. intimam dilectionem et deuotum obsequium. Scio domina quia omnes uię uestrę misericordia et ueritas. et hoc merito.
quia misericordia quę de celo ad terram filium dei adduxit super uos prospexit! et superna sapientia sedem suam in uobis parauit. Quapropter dulcissima obnixe uobis supplico. ut dignemini a deo perquirere. utrum sit ipsius uoluntas. ut istam sarcinam portem aut abiciam! quia plus adhuc constrictione obedientię quam dei amore perseueraui. Idcirco si auderem.
de loco magisterij libenter discederem! quia mihi ualde durum esse uidetur. ut omnibus moribus aliorum seruiam et ut in uoluntate illorum permaneam. et ideo mercedem aliquam me recepturam non spero. Ualete. Sapienti animo pauca sufficiant.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.25.10 — All the ways of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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