R201: Bertolf von Reutlingen an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting from a Weary Priest
A priest identifies himself to Hildegard with a greeting of devoted love, then confesses his weariness and bitterness of life.
A certain priest. To Hildegard. Hildegard, most worthy mistress of the brides of Christ! B. By the grace of God—though unworthy—a priest of God and a sinner. A devoted assurance of intimate love and of service in every way. I am weary of my life!✦ Because I am filled with bitterness.✦
A Thorned Path and Trust Amid Temptation
The writer describes his suffering and fear of yielding in temptation, yet finds joy in God and turns to Hildegard in prayer.
And because you know the purpose I'm committed to, most holy virgin — I'm still putting off certain faithful friends of mine while I wait — my path — so that I may draw on prophetic words — is hemmed in on every side by thorns and a wall. Yet the scourges that discipline Israel completely through all things — I don't refuse them! But because temptation with its fruit doesn't accomplish anything when it comes, I'm deeply afraid I might give in and never reach the goal I've set out toward. Not because of the comfort I so often look to in you — my heart, trusting deeply, finds its joy even amid sins and hardships. Therefore, virgin devoted to God — all of us, longing for God, sigh as we turn to you and earnestly ask —
Ask, Seek, and the Order of Life
Using the image of asking and knocking, the writer urgently requests Hildegard's prayers and prophetic guidance for a way of religious life.
we ask. we knock.✦ that in no way should you stop your usual prayers. until a certain place of dwelling for us. or if that should seem to you a temptation against God. at least now, may merciful God deign to insinuate to you the discreet order of religious life for us.1 We do not doubt that God has ordained these things through you. you are experienced in the matter.
Remembered Help and a Request for Letters
Affirming that nothing happens without cause, the writer recalls Hildegard's past help and asks for her continued intercession, letters, and the copying of her book.
Nothing on earth happens without a reason. And so, just as you once freed my soul from distress by the hidden judgment of God, in part— so do not shrink from interceding for all of us, through the way God has arranged in you, to free us from the error of doubt, as is your duty. Furthermore, I earnestly long for your letters about these and other matters. Besides that, I very much want to copy your book.
Read the original Latin
Sacerdos quidam. hildegardi. Hildigardi magistrę sponsarum christi didignissimę! B. dei gratia licet indignus dei sacerdos et peccator. intimę dilectionis et omnimodo obsequij deuotam certitudinem. Tedet me uitę meę! quia repletus sum amaritudine.
Et quia propositum cuius conscia es uirgo sanctissima expectando quosdam fideles amicos meos adhuc differo! uia mea ut propheticis utar uerbis undique septa est spinis et maceria. Verumtamen flagella quę per omnia erudiunt israel penitus non renuo! sed quia cum temptatione prouentum non faciunt ne succumbam et ad finem propositi non ueniam ualde pertimesco! non quod ex consolatione tua quam frequenter aspicio. plurimum confidens cor meum et inter peccata et erumpnas letificatur. Quapropter uirgo deo deuota. nos omnes post deum ad te suspirantes summopere petimus.
querimus. pulsamus. quatenus a solitis precibus nullo modo desistas. donec locum certum habitationis nobis. aut si id tibi temptatio in deum uideatur. saltem nunc discretum religionis ordinem misericors deus tibi pro nobis insinuare dignetur. Ista deum per te ordinasse non dubium esse nos credimus. tu re experta es.
Nichil enim in terris fit sine causa. Et idcirco sicut animam meam occultorum dei iudicio ab angustijs ex parte liberabas. ita nos omnes per dispositum in te a deo modum liberare a dubietatis errore debita precatrix non diffugias. De cetero litteras tuas de his et alijs uehementer desidero. Preterea librum tuum transscribere multum cupio.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Job.10.1 — My soul is weary of my life; I will let my complaint go free upon myself. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
- ↩Job.3.20;Job.7.11 — Why is light given to one who toils, and life to the bitter of soul? Job.7.11 — Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
- ↩Matt.7.7 — Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Notes
- 1 ↩insinuare rendered 'insinuate' in the older sense of 'introduce/steer into' rather than the modern pejorative sense.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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