R267: Philipp von St. Peter in Köln an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Blessing
Philippus and the clergy of Cologne greet Hildegard, bless her with the portion chosen by Mary and the hope of seeing God face to face, and express their admiration for the words of life she revealed to them.
Philippus the dean, together with the other clerics. To Hildegard. Philippus the dean, though unworthy, and the whole clergy of the greater church of Cologne! To Hildegard, from holy Robert, in the rich veneration of that follower's portion which Mary chose, and now through the purity of her heart. And in the future, to behold God face to face. Because we love your maternal devotion, we make it known to you: because after you recently departed from us, when you had come to us by divine command— —where you revealed to us the words of life, just as God inspired them to you. We have been led into the greatest admiration!
God's Work in a Frail Vessel
The writers marvel that God works wonders through Hildegard's frail humanity, approach her as a living temple of God, seek truth from her as from an oracle, and ask her to commend their spiritual cares to God.
For this reason: because God, in so frail a vessel, in so frail a sex as that of a human being, works such great and wonderful wonders of his own secrets. But the Spirit breathes where he wills. For since it is clear from many signs and evidences that he has chosen a pleasing dwelling place for himself in your hearts. Rightly then, in our own wonder, we draw near to you as if to a living temple of God, about to offer our prayers. And from your heart, truly as from an oracle of God, we seek answers of truth. For your blessedness — which we beseech with deepest longing — so that, since our desires concern the care of souls, you may entrust them more earnestly to God.
Request for Letters and Farewell Blessing
The writers ask Hildegard to share any divine insights about them by letter, request a written account of what she told them in person, acknowledge their own spiritual neglect amid carnal desires, and close with a farewell blessing.
And if your mind, as it clings to God in true vision, has clearly seen anything about us, as is his custom — take care to make it known to us by letter. We also ask that you share with us by letter those things you told us before in person. And also commend us to them, and send us letters as well! For while we are given over to bodily desires, spiritual things — which we neither see often nor hear easily — through negligence we hand over to forgetfulness. May your love flourish. And may the one you love with your whole heart be with you.
Read the original Latin
Philippus dechanus cum ceteris clericis. hildegardi. Philippus dechanus licet indignus maioris ęcclesię totusque clerus coloniensium! hildegardi de sancto roberto in pinguia uenerandę sectatrici partis illius quam elegit maria et nunc per mundiciam cordis. et in futuro facie ad faciem deum intueri. Quia maternam pietatem uestram diligimus uobis notum facimus quia postquam nuper a nobis recessistis cum per diuinam iussionem ad nos uenissetis. ubi uerba uitę prout deus uobis inspirauit nobis aperuistis. in maximam admirationem ducti sumus!
pro eo quod deus in tam fragili uase in tam fragili sexu hominis tanta mira secretorum suorum operatur. Sed spiritus ubi uult spirat. Nam cum ex multis rerum indicijs manifestum sit. quod in precordijs uestris placitam sibi sedem elegerit. merito et nos in admirationibus nostris ad uos quasi ad uiuum dei templum preces oblaturi accedimus! et de corde uestro sicuti reuera de dei oraculo ueritatis responsa flagitamus. Beatitudinem enim uestram quam intime exoramus. ut desideria nostra quoniam ad curam animarum respiciunt intentius deo commendetis!
et si quid adherens deo animus uester in uera uisione ut assolet de nobis peruiderit. litteris nobis intimare curetis. Rogamus etiam ut ea quę uiua uoce nobis prius dixistis. litteris quoque commendetis et nobis transmittatis! quia dum carnalibus concupiscentijs dediti sumus. spiritalia quę nec frequenter uidemus nec audimus facile per neglegentiam obliuioni tradimus. Valeat dilectio uestra. et ille uobiscum sit quem toto corde diligitis.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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