R205: Gottfried von Alpirsbach an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting to Hildegard
A monk named G. greets Hildegard with deep humility, honoring her as a woman of divine vision and placing himself in devoted obedience.
A certain monk. To Hildegard. To the most serene lady and truly blessed Hildegard. Adorned with the spirit of divine vision! The lowest of the monks of holy Benedict. Although an unworthy priest. G. With devoted service of obedience and complete subjection of humility.
Trust in God's Promises
The writer grounds his confidence in God's truth, affirming that the faithful rest in divine love and that no word is impossible with God.
Those who trust in the Lord will understand truth. And the faithful will rest in love toward him. For it is the gift and the peace given to God's chosen ones. These are sacred words. Uttered through the mouth of heavenly wisdom. Through the trustworthy testimony of many I have come to know that these things will be fulfilled in you, and I believe it. For what I find testified in the sacred Scriptures, I hold to with the utmost faithfulness. Because no word is impossible with God.
Faith in Hildegard's Visions
Though he has not seen Hildegard's visions, the writer believes they are true because she has placed her confidence in the Lord and remained faithful in love.
So the report I've come to know, spread by common rumor— even though I haven't seen your holy revelations with my own eyes. I haven't doubted that they are true. I know this for certain in truth. I know that you've placed your confidence in the Lord, and that is why you've come to understand his truth. And because you've remained faithful to him in love, you've received the gift of divine revelation and the spirit of heavenly consolation!
Humble Prayer Not to Be Despised
Acknowledging God's abundant mercy in Hildegard, the writer humbly asks her not to despise his timid appeal but to remain mindful of the Lord's voice.
And you have received the peace that belongs to God's chosen ones. Now, in fact, because of the mercy of almighty God — a greater mercy has been found in you than in other mortals. Therefore, not by tempting and not by being proud. But the grace of God alone, simply through you as you pray. Humbly I ask that you keep in mind that voice of the Lord! Do not despise one of my little ones. Consider, then, so that you do not despise my letters, born of timidity.
Petition for Prayer and Correction
Through Christ's love, the writer begs Hildegard to intercede for his sins, sustain his life with holy prayers, and correct his negligences through her letters.
But through the love of Jesus Christ, I beg you to mercifully hear my prayers. And that you would intercede with God on account of my sins. and that through your holy prayers you would sustain my life and deign to correct my negligences by your letters. For your correction is something I deeply desire! the correction that comes from your sweetest love. So I consider myself unworthy of the gift of your most loving letter! But I long to receive the reward of my trust from you. For I believe that through the Spirit through whom you perceive all things—past, present, and future.
Longing to Hear from Hildegard
The writer expresses overflowing joy and a deep longing to come into Hildegard's presence or receive her visions and letters, believing she knows the secrets of his heart.
The secrets of my heart are open to you as well. Truly, I have never seen a day sweeter to me than this one! I would give anything to come into your presence! I would rather walk barefoot, just to hear your words alone! That would be a joy and a delight to me beyond all measure. So grant me either your most excellent visions or some letters from your blessed state, that I may be worthy to receive them. Almighty Father.
Blessing for the Church
The letter closes with a Trinitarian blessing, asking God to preserve Hildegard safely for the correction of holy Church.
through the power of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the cooperation of the Holy Spirit. May he see fit to keep you unharmed for a long time! for the correction of his holy Church.1
Read the original Latin
Monachus quidam. hildegardi. Dominę serenissimę ac uerę beatę hildegardi. spiritu diuinę uisionis decoratę! monachorum sancti Benedicti infimus. quamuis indignus sacerdos. G. deuotę seruicium obedientię cum omni humilitatis subiectione.
Qui confidunt in domino intelligent ueritatem. et fideles in dilectione acquiescent illi. quoniam donum et pax est electis dei. Hęc sacrosancta dicta. per os supernę sapientię edita. multorum relatione ueridica in te fore cognoui et credo completa. Quod enim sacris scripturis testantibus inuenio fidelissime teneo. quod omne uerbum impossibile non sit apud deum.
Igitur famam quam rumore uulgante agnoui. quamuis sanctas tuas reuelationes non uiderim. uera esse non dubitaui. Scio itaque in ueritate. quod quia fiduciam tuam in domino posuisti. ideo ueritatem ipsius intellexisti. et quia fidelis illi in dilectione acquieuisti. donum diuinę reuelationis et spiritum celestis consolationis suscepisti!
et pacem electorum dei acquisisti. Nunc uero quia omnipotentis dei misericordia. amplior in te est inuenta quam in ceteris mortalibus. ideo non temptando neque superbiendo. sed solius dei gratiam simpliciter per te deprecando. supplex rogo ut memor sis illius uocis dominicę! unum ex meis pusillis nolite contempnere. Considera ergo ne litteras meę pusillanimitatis contempnas.
sed per amorem iesu christi preces meas te oro clementer exaudias. et ut pro delictis meis apud deum interuenias. et sanctis tuis precibus uitam meam subleues et negligentias meas admonere digneris per litteras tuę correptionis. Ualde enim mihi est optabilis! correptio tuę dulcissimę caritatis. Ergo indignum me iudico munere tuę cartę amantissimo! sed credulitatis meę mercedem a te recipere cupio. Credo enim per spiritum per quem cuncta preterita presentia et futura perspicis!
etiam tibi patere secreta mei cordis. Vere numquam uidi diem mihi dulciorem! quam ut ad tuam presentiam peruenirem. Mallem namque nudis pedibus incedere. pro sola uerborum tuorum auditione! et nimis iocundum mihi esset atque optabile. sic uel tuas excellentissimas uisiones uel aliquas tuę beatitudinis litteras mererer percipere. Omnipotens pater.
per uirtutem sui filij domini nostri iesu christi et per cooperationem spiritus sancti. incolomem et longo tempore dignetur conseruare! ad correctionem sanctę suę ęcclesię.
Notes
- 1 ↩The normalized Latin 'sanctę suę ęcclesię' is uncertain; the translation assumes the intended reading is 'sanctae suae ecclesiae' (genitive singular: 'of his holy Church'). The manuscript form shows abbreviation marks and possible corruption.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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