R233: Morard von Disibodenberg an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Humble Boasting in the Lord
Morard identifies himself with humility as a monk and priest, yet finds cause to boast only in the Lord.
Morard, a monk of Saint Disibod. To Hildegard. To Hildegard, most beloved, and in Christ our specially honored mother and lady. Morard. Monk and priest — and unworthy of both. That is how it is. If boasting is called for — no, indeed — because it is right to boast in the Lord.✦
Thanksgiving for Unmerited Friendship
Morard rejoices in the grace of friendship with Hildegard, offers heartfelt thanks, and marvels at her kindness both in presence and absence.
It's also fitting for me to rejoice — not in myself, but in the Lord. He who granted such grace of friendship to my unworthiness in the presence of your holiness — something my own humility could never deserve, nor dared even to hope for. And so, first, to divine mercy — then, to your kindness — I offer thanks from the bottom of my heart, because you have received me, present among you, with such kindness. And when I was absent, you still deemed me worthy of your greeting!
Greetings, Sisterhood, and Persevering Prayer
Morard exchanges greetings with the sisters, urges them to remember their promises of prayer and sisterhood, and pledges his own continued intercession for them.
I announce your goodwill to all your fellow sisters, as far as it reaches them. and deign to greet my ladies in my place! and urge them as well that the consolation of sisterhood and prayer they promised me may never perish from their memory! for I too, as much as the Lord deigns, have done and continue to do, as God is my witness, what I pledged to them. For I trust in the Lord that, as long as life is my companion, I will not stop praying for all of you. so that the grace of God, which has so richly anticipated you, may continually accompany you. and may Satan be crushed under your feet!
Private Matters and Farewell
Morard asks for Hildegard's prayers, alludes to private matters needing future communication, and closes with a farewell in the Lord.
So that my poor humble self may, through your prayers, obtain the salvation I don't deserve. As for the other matters, I've discussed them with you more privately. when the time is right. Once this letter is written, you'll be sure to keep me informed. Farewell in the Lord, always.
Read the original Latin
Morardus Monachus sancti Dysibodi. hildegardi. Hildigardi amantissimę et in christo honorabili singulariter matri et dominę. Morardus. monachus et sacerdos indignus. id quod est. Si gloriari oportet. immo quia gloriari licet in domino.
conuenit et me gratulari non in memetipso. sed in domino. qui meę indignitati talem apud uestram sanctitatem familiaritatis gratiam concessit. qualem mea humilitas nec mereri potuit nec sperare presumpsit. Vnde primum diuinę miserationi. deinde uestrę dignationi grates ex intimo corde referens. eo quod tam presentem me benigne habueritis. quam et absentem uestra salutatione dignum duxeritis!
denuntio beniuolentię uestrę quatenus omnes consorores uestras. et dominas meas uice mea salutare dignemini! atque easdem commoneatis ut fraternitatis et orationum solacium quod mihi promiserunt nequaquam memorię ipsarum depereat! quoniam et ego quantum dominus dignatur. modis omnibus feci et facio quod eis teste deo spopondi. Confido enim in domino quod uita comite non cessabo pro uobis omnibus deprecans. ut gratia dei quę uos tam large preuenit iugiter uos prosequatur. et conterat sathan sub pedibus uestris!
ut et mea paruitas salutem quam non mereor uobis exorantibus optinere ualeat. De ceteris quę uobiscum secretius contuli. cum oportunum fuerit. scripto me certificare curabitis. Valete in domino semper.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Jer.9.23-Jer.9.24 — Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise boast in their wisdom, let not the strong boast in their strength, let not the wealthy boast in their riches. But let the one who boasts boast in this: understanding and knowing me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, declares the LORD. Jer.9.24 — Behold, days are coming — declares the LORD — and I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh.
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