R265: Domkapitel von St. Martin an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting from Saint Martin's
The brothers of Saint Martin's in Mainz send a humble greeting to Hildegard, their beloved mother and handmaid of Christ, commending themselves to her mercy.
The assembly of brothers from the house in Mainz. To Hildegard. Lord, dearest mother and most holy handmaid of Christ, and mistress of the sisters in the monastery of blessed Robert in Bingen. Hildegard! The entire assembly of brothers from Saint Martin's, in the house of God, with one consent, walks — — and in this valley of tears, to please the Bridegroom of virgins.✦ Because it is right that in our affairs we look to the will of God. We take refuge in the mercy of your piety!
God's Strange Gift to Hildegard
The writers praise God's unprecedented gift to Hildegard, through whom many are drawn to God, yet confess their own neglect and the many tribulations that wear them down.
In this age, God has granted a strange and unheard-of divine gift, through which he has looked upon you and marvelously enriched you. Not for your own benefit alone. But you are bringing many to God at his command. For we have seen and heard the miracles the Lord is working through you. We offer him praises of which we are unworthy! But because we so often neglect God, we are worn down by many tribulations and afflicted by endless calamities.
Taking Refuge with Mary and the Holy
Refusing despair, the brothers resolve to seek the counsel of those who have chosen Mary's portion, and they ask Hildegard to share what she has seen in visions against the Cathar error.
We are hemmed in by countless hardships! And let us not give up in utter despair and so perish. Just as it is necessary, so it is right that we take refuge in those who love God with their whole heart and have chosen the best portion with Mary!✦1 And let us seek their counsel and their help. For it has been reported to us by truthful persons that you have written certain things about the error of the Cathars. and how you saw those things in a vision of the secrets of God. —things which we eagerly ask that you send on to us with all devotion.2
Entrusting to Prayer and Farewell
Trusting in divine revelation more than human authority, the brothers entrust themselves to Hildegard's prayers and ask her to write what the Lord reveals, closing with a farewell.
Since we trust in a divine showing and response more than in anything human. Therefore we entrust ourselves to your holy prayers. Asking that whatever your bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, deigns to reveal to you about these things. you may cause to be written to us with good will, as it is fitting for you to do. Farewell.
Read the original Latin
Conuentus fratrum de domo in moguntia. hildegardi. Domine carissimę matrique sanctissimę ac christi famulę et magistrę sororum in cenobio beati roberti in pingis. hildegardi! totus conuentus fratrum de sancto Martino in domo dei cum consensu ambulare! et in hac ualle lacrimarum sponso uirginum conplacere. Quia iustum est ut in causis nostris uoluntatem dei inspiciamus. ad clementiam pietatis uestrę confugimus!
in qua insolitum et inauditum temporibus nostris diuinum donum quo uos deus respexit ac mirabiliter ditauit. non ad usum uestri solius. sed multorum deo iubente conuertitis. Nos enim uisis et auditis miraculis quę dominus per uos operatur. laudum preconia quamuis indigna ei offerimus! sed quia multociens deum negligimus. multis tribulationibus atterimur. infinitis calamitatibus afficimur.
innumeris angustijs subicimur! et ne omnimodis desperantes pereamus. sicut necessarium ita iustum est ut ad eos qui deum toto corde diligunt et optimam partem cum maria elegerunt confugiamus! et eorum consilium et auxilium queramus. A ueridicis siquidem personis relatum est nobis. quod quędam de errore catharorum scripseritis. quemadmodum illa in uisione secretorum dei uidistis. quę ut nobis transmittatis omni deuotione expetimus!
quoniam diuinę ostensioni et responso magis credimus quam humano. Sanctis itaque orationibus uestris nos commendamus! petentes ut quicquid uobis sponsus uester dominus iesus de his reuelare dignabitur. nobis bona uoluntate sicut uos decet scribi faciatis. Valete.
Scripture echoes
Notes
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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