R193: Äbtissin I. von Dietkirchen an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation of Light and Humility
The abbess greets Hildegard with a blessing of divine light and confesses her own unworthiness alongside confidence in prayer and owed service.
The abbess of Dietkirchen to Hildegard. Hildegard, from Saint Robert, mistress. Illumined by the grace of divine light! I. The abbess of Dietkirchen near Bonn, though unworthy! So very small, of such great stature. And unworthy, yet worthy. The persistence of prayer, and the perseverance of owed service.
Trust, Request, and Loving Appeal
The abbess expresses trust in Hildegard's piety, explains the purpose of her letter, asks for edifying words, and appeals for a written reply.
I place great trust in your piety and humility. To you I have sent the bearer [REDACTED] these present letters, written in this tenor. So that, if it may be allowed, it might not offend the eyes of your piety. Some admonitory words to me, which may edify my soul. And may they bring me confidence toward God. Most loving mother, send back a brief writing. For indeed I am strengthened by these things while you were present. You proposed it at an opportune time.
Bold Faith Like the Canaanite Woman
Invoking the Canaanite woman of the Gospel, the abbess humbly yet boldly asks again for a share of Hildegard's visionary insights, and asks to be remembered.
Furthermore, if I don't dare to ask for more, I will nevertheless use the prayers of the Canaanite woman who answered the Lord in the Gospel, saying:✦1 because even the puppies eat from the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.✦2 With that same devotion of faith, I ask you a second time:3 that from your table — that is, concerning that vision in which you frequently see many wondrous things — you might add a brief account to the matters mentioned above, for I long for them greatly.4 Remember me!
Final Commendation to God's Completing Grace
The abbess recalls a previous parchment and commends Hildegard to God, asking that he complete the good work begun in her.
I recently sent you the parchment on that subject. Still, as far as it depends on us, we ask God through our supplication that the good which he began in you he may bring to completion in the end by his free goodness to the one who perseveres.
Read the original Latin
Abbatissa de didenkirchun hildegardi. Hildigardi de sancto Roberto magistrę. diuinique luminis gratia illuminatę! I. de didenkirchin iuxta bunnun abbatissa licet indigna! tantilla tantę. et indigna dignę. orationis instantiam et debitę seruitutis perseuerentiam.
Uestra pietate et humilitate tanta confidens. ad uos misi presentium latorem has litteras eo tenore conscriptas! quatenus si liceat atque oculos uestrę pietatis non offendat. aliqua mihi commonitoria uerba quę animam meam edificent. et mihi fiduciam ad deum prebeant. mater amantissima breui scripta remittatis. Me etenim ex his corroborari dum presens aderatis! oportuno tempore proposuistis.
Pretera si amplius non audeo rogare. utar tamen precibus cananeę quę respondebat domino in ęuangelio dicens! quod etiam catelli edunt de micis quę cadunt de mensa dominorum suorum. Eadem fidei deuotione uos secundario rogo. ut de mensa uestra. id est de uisione illa qua multa mirabilia frequenter uidetis. mihi ualde desideranti supradictis summatim apponatis. Mementote!
quod pergamenum ea de causa uobis nuper transmisi. Verumtamen quantum in nobis est supplicando deum rogamus. ut bonum quod cepit in uobis. gratuita bonitate perseueranti fine compleat.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Matt.15.22-Matt.15.28 — And behold, a Canaanite woman from those regions came out and cried out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely tormented by a demon." Matt.15.23 — But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us. Matt.15.24 — But he answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matt.15.25 — But she came and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, help me.' Matt.15.26 — But he answered, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." Matt.15.27 — She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. Matt.15.28 — Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that hour.
- ↩Matt.15.27 — She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.
Notes
- 1 ↩cananeę = Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:22–28); the gloss is uncertain but the Gospel reference is clear.
- 2 ↩Direct quotation of the Canaanite woman's words echoing Matthew 15:27.
- 3 ↩secundario is a rare form rendered here as 'a second time' / 'secondly'; the sense is sequential petition.
- 4 ↩apponatis is a subjunctive, rendered here as a polite hortatory: 'you might add.'
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