R3: Anastasius IV. an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Apostolic Greeting
The pope opens with formal episcopal titles, addresses Hildegard as a beloved daughter in Christ, and offers greetings and an apostolic blessing.
Pope Anastasius. To Hildegard. Anastasius, bishop, servant of the servants of God! To Hildegard, beloved daughter in Christ. Greetings and apostolic blessing.
Joy in Christ's Glory
The pope rejoices that Christ's name is glorified through Hildegard and expresses wonder at God's work in her.
We rejoice in the Lord, daughter, and we give thanks. Because the name of Christ is glorified in you from day to day! So that even in our wonder we can say.
Wonder and the Song of the Mighty
The pope quotes and expands upon Exodus 15:11, marveling at God's holiness, awe-inspiring power, and wondrous deeds.
Who among the mighty is like you, O Lord?✦ Who is like you?✦ Glorious in holiness.✦ Awe-inspiring and worthy of praise!✦ Doing wonders.✦
Report of Hildegard's Fame and a Predecessor's Love
The pope confirms he has heard much about Hildegard and recalls that his predecessor loved her with great affection.
For we have heard, and we have seen, many things concerning you. We also know that our predecessor of pious memory, to whom we succeeded through divine grace in nurturing the bride of Christ, loved you with great affection. He loved you with great affection.
Following in a Predecessor's Footsteps
The pope affirms that he follows in his predecessor's footsteps, eager to write to Hildegard and to receive her replies.
He has embraced and heard. Whose footsteps we also have followed. We have been eager to write to you. And we long to see your replies.
Confession of Weakness and Weariness
The pope confesses his own frailty, acknowledging weariness of body and mind and a failure to rise to heavenly things as he ought.
Seeking those things that God — that God — works in you.1 Even though we falter in good things. In these things we sigh as much from weariness of body as from weariness of mind! Since through our own negligence we do not raise ourselves upward toward heavenly things as rightly we ought.2
God's Knowledge and a Call to Prayer
Affirming that God knows human will and capacity, the pope urgently charges Hildegard and her sisters to pray so he may be strengthened and obtain eternal rewards.
God is the one who knows what is hidden. And he knows our will and our capacity. Therefore we urge you — and we earnestly charge you — and we ask and we earnestly charge you that with your sisters you pour out your prayers to the Lord, so that through his power we may be strong enough to raise ourselves up to what is right. so that for this we may obtain eternal rewards.
Longing for Heaven and a Farewell Blessing
The pope urges Hildegard never to lose her longing for heavenly things and closes with a blessing of peace upon her and her community.
Never losing your longing for those things in this present life. Peace be to you and to all your people.
Read the original Latin
Anastasius papa. hildegardi. Anastasius episcopus seruus seruorum dei! hildegardi dilectę filię in christo. salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Exultamus in domino filia et gratulamur. quod nomen christi de die in diem glorificatur in te! ita ut et admirantes dicamus.
Quis similis tui in fortibus domine? Quis similis tui? Magnificus in sanctitate. terribilis atque laudabilis! et faciens mirabilia. Audiuimus enim et uidimus multa de te. Scimus etiam quod pię memorię predecessor noster cui ad nutriendum sponsam christi per diuinam gratiam successimus. te multo affectu dilexit.
amplexus est et audiuit. Cuius et nos uestigia secuti. scribere tibi studuimus. et rescripta tua uidere desideramus. querentes illa quę deus quę deus in te operatur. quamuis nos in bonis claudicemus. in quibus tam lassitudine corporis quam mentis nostrę suspiramus! cum nos ad celestia per negligentiam nostram sursum non erigimus ut iure deberemus.
Occultorum autem cognitor. et uoluntatem et possibilitatem nostram nouit. Admonemus igitur. rogamus. et obnixe tibi iniungimus. ut cum sororibus tuis preces ad dominum fundas. quatinus per uirtutem ipsius ad iusticiam nos erigere ualeamus! ita ut pro hoc eterna premia adipiscamur.
ad illa in presenti uita anhelare non deficientes. Pax tibi et omnibus tuis sit.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Exod.15.11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders?
- ↩Exod.15.11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders?
- ↩Exod.15.11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders?
- ↩Exod.15.11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders?
- ↩Exod.15.11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders?
Notes
- 1 ↩The normalized text repeats 'quę deus' twice (likely a scribal dittography). The translation preserves the repetition to reflect the source as given; a single instance may be intended.
- 2 ↩cum is ambiguous (temporal, causal, or concessive); rendered as causal 'since' as most natural in context. ut is ambiguous (purpose, result, or comparative); rendered as comparative 'as' to match iure deberemus ('as rightly we ought').
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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