R249: Bertolf von Zwiefalten an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Greeting
Bertolf, prior of Zwiefalten, greets Hildegard reverently as the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit and offers prayer, expressing his heartfelt wish for her well-being.
Bertolf, prior of Zwiefalten. To Hildegard. To our lady, his own, from Saint Rupert, most beloved Hildegard, most reverend dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit! Bertolf, prior of Zwiefalten, with the rest of his brothers, whose names God knows! Offering of prayer as owed. If you are well and thriving in your successes according to your heart's desires!
A Cry from the Abyss
Bertolf confesses the despair and disorder overwhelming his monastery's reform, and humbly begs Hildegard's counsel and prophetic intercession, weighed down by troublesome brothers.
This is what we long for with all our hearts. But beyond that, because the abyss of despair has surrounded us in rebuilding the religious life of our monastery, and a sea of irrationality has covered our heads. Humbly and suppliant, prostrated before your face, we beg with all devotion the comfort of your counsel. For we hope that through our prayers you can obtain an audience with the Lord. So that through the revelation of the Holy Spirit you should announce something future to us. Because we are often burdened by the importunity of certain brothers of ours. All these things we ask of your holiness.
Request and Farewell
Bertolf asks Hildegard to reply by letter and closes with a farewell, requesting her continued prayers for them as sinners.
So that you won't disdain the pen, write back to us in return. Farewell, and pray to the Lord for us sinners all the more earnestly.
Read the original Latin
Bertolfus prior in zvvifilda. hildegardi. Dominę suę de sancto Ruperto dilectissimę hildegardi sancti spiritus cohabitatione reuerentissimę! Bertolfus. prior de zvvifilda. cum ceteris fratribus suis quorum deus nomina nouit! debitę orationis exhibitionem. Si bene ualetis et prosperis successibus ad uota polletis!
hoc omnimodis exoptamus. Ceterum quia abyssus desperationis in reparanda cenobij nostri religione uallauit nos. et pelagus irracionalitatis eius cooperuit capita nostra. humiliter et suppliciter ante faciem uestram prostrati consilij uestri solacium cum omni deuotione exposcimus. Speramus enim quod nostris orationibus apud dominum optinere possitis. quatenus per spiritus sancti reuelationem aliqua nobis pro futura denuntiare debeatis. quoniam quorundam fratrum nostrorum importunitate multociens grauamur. Hęc omnia rogamus uestram sanctitatem.
ut stili non dedignata uicissitudine nobis rescribatis. Valete et pro nobis peccatoribus obnixius dominum rogate.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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