R241: Wibert von Gembloux an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Hindered Visit
Wibertus greets Hildegard and explains that a hoped-for visit was blocked by satanic opposition and human weakness.
Once again, Wibertus the monk. To Hildegard. To the most holy mother Hildegard. Wibertus. The joy I had believed was divinely granted to me regarding the sight of you and your conversation with our abbot at the Lenten season, as I made my way to you — that joy was, for a time, taken away from me, I believe, by the envy of the devil. For when we had advanced the colony as far as we could, Satan hindered our journey and, through the wrongful suggestions of his own carnal relatives, disturbed the abbot's purpose of reaching you. We stopped from going any further.
Entrusted Questions and Hope of Restoration
Wibertus grieves his loss, entrusts questions from the brothers of Villers to Baldwin, and hopes divine grace will restore what was taken.
But I hope that what was taken from me, I grieve. When the time is more suitable and all hindrances have been removed. Divine grace will restore it to me. In the meantime, however, regarding those questions that the brothers of Villers were sending through me to you to be resolved. And I, having been called back from the journey, entrusted them to Baldwin, my beloved, to be delivered to you. What has been done, I greatly desire to know Namely, whether or not they have reached you. And if they have arrived —
Prayer for Guidance and Resolution
Wibertus prays that Hildegard will act in the Holy Spirit and prescribe resolutions for the questions so that mutual charity may shine more clearly.
We beg all the friends of your party, in spirit prostrate at your feet, that you not fear to entrust the sails to the breeze of the Holy Spirit, as they confidently enter the sea of their release. Do not be afraid to spread your sails to the breeze of the Holy Spirit. With such a guide, the straits will soon glide smoothly toward a calm harbor, without difficulty. I also ask about these matters that you prescribe their resolutions, together with the prescribed letters of the Villarensians and our own. so that one may become more welcome from the other. and shine forth more clearly.
Read the original Latin
Iterum Vvibertus monachus. hildegardi. Matri sanctissimę hildegardi. Gvvibertus. Gaudium quod de uisione et collocutione tua cum abbate nostro tempore quadragesimali ad te proficiscendo diuinitus mihi indultum credideram ad tempus quidem mihi inuidia ut puto diaboli sublatum est. Nam cum coloniam usque processissemus. iter nostrum impediente sathana et per iniquas carnalium propinquorum suorum suggestiones propositum abbatis ad te pertendendi conturbante. ulterius progredi destitimus.
Sed spero quia quod ablatum mihi doleo. oportuniori tempore remotis omnibus impedimentis. gratia mihi diuina restituet. Interim tamen de questionibus illis quas per me fratres uillarensi ad te soluendas mittebant. quasque ego reuocatus ab itinere tibi perferendas dilecto mihi Balduino commisi. quid actum sit uehementer scire cupio. utrum uidelicet necne ad te peruenerint. Quod si peruenerunt.
obsecramus omnes nostrę partis amici tui in spiritu tuis affusi pedibus ut mare solutionis earum fiducialiter ingrediens. aurę spiritus sancti uela committere non pertimescas. tali duce freta sine difficultate placido portui mox adlapsura. De quibus etiam precor ut cum prescriptis litteris uillarensium et nostris solutionibus earum prescribas. ut alterę ex alteris gratiores fiant. et clarius elucescant.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
Read one voice like Hildegard's every morning
Chosen Portion delivers daily excerpts from Hildegard and 77 other historic devotional writers, free on iOS.
Hildegard directed souls through short written portions sent one at a time, and Chosen Portion continues that letter-a-day rhythm as daily devotionals.
- Daily 2-minute readings including Hildegard's letters and visions
- 78 complete historic works, translated into modern readable English
- A weekly email tracing one writer's story in depth