R181: Äbtissin H. von Altmünster in Mainz an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting to Hildegard
The abbess of the old monastery of Mainz addresses Hildegard with a formal yet humble greeting, acknowledging her title only in name.
Abbess in the old monastery of the church of Mainz. To Hildegard. To the Lady, her own Hildegard, dedicated to God, to the virgin! H. Only in name the abbess of the sisters in the old monastery of the church of Mainz!
Joy and Sympathy in Illness
The abbess expresses joy at Hildegard's partial recovery from illness while also voicing heartfelt sympathy for her suffering.
After a long illness. The blessedness of heavenly life. If you've recovered somewhat, my lady, from your illness, I rejoice! But if I sympathize with you from the heart, however—
Boldness of Friendship and Prayer
The abbess writes with the confidence of close friendship, asks Hildegard to consider her devotion, and requests prayers for her sins while praying for Hildegard in love.
Look, I'm writing to you with the boldness of close friendship. I ask that you consider the devotion I hold toward you. And strive to appease the face of the Lord for my sins. For I pray for you in the bond of love.
Request for a Reply
The abbess asks Hildegard to send word back through the letter-bearer and to gladden her with a Spirit-led reply.
So that you might send word back to me through the bearer [REDACTED] this letter and advise me.1 And by your reply — as the Holy Spirit has granted you — gladden me.
Read the original Latin
Abbatissa in ueteri monasterio moguntinę ęcclesię. hildegardi. Dominę suę hildegardi deo dicatę uirgini! h. solo nomine abbatissa sororum in ueteri monasterio moguntinę ęcclesię! post diutinam egritudinem. celestis uitę beatitudinem. Si aliquantulum domina mea de infirmitate uestra conualuistis gaudeo!
sin autem ex animo condoleo. En scribo uobis ausu familiaritatis. petens ut meam circa uos deuotionem adtendatis! et pro peccatis meis faciem domini placare studeatis. Precor enim uos in uinculo caritatis. ut perre presentium litterarum portitorem me commoneatis! et rescripto uestro prout spiritus sanctus uobis donauerit me letificetis.
Notes
- 1 ↩The form perre is non-standard and uncertain; it is rendered here as 'send word back' based on the context of requesting a reply via the letter-bearer, but the reading is tentative.
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