R31: Hermann von Arbon an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting to the Bride of Christ
Hermann greets Hildegard with a formal episcopal salutation, confessing his unworthiness while offering her an increase of love and blessing.
The bishop of Constance. To Hildegard. Bishop of the church of God by grace! Though useless and unworthy! To Hildegard, bride of Christ, from the monastery of Saint Robert in Pingis. An increase of deepest love. And the most blessed course of both our lives.
The Fame of Hildegard's Wisdom
Hermann reports that trustworthy witnesses have spread word of Hildegard's wisdom, stirring him with longing to seek her support.
The report of your wisdom has spread far and wide. It was reported to me by several people who speak the truth. and it stirred me up to that desire.
Humble Petition for Prayer and Reply
Acknowledging his own weakness in governing his life, Hermann earnestly begs Hildegard's prayers and strengthening reply, confessing how earthly desires pull him from God's service.
so that from distant regions I might seek your comfort and support, and commend myself to your prayers. For it is hard — how can someone who doesn't know how to govern their own life become the judge of another's life? Therefore I earnestly ask for your love with sincere devotion. that you would come to my aid before God with your prayers. and by your reply, strengthen me! because my own will, as much as earthly concern, in almost every way draws me away from the service of God.
Read the original Latin
Episcopus constantiensis. hildegardi. Constantiensis ęcclesię dei gratia episcopus! quamuis inutilis et indignus! hildegardi sponsę christi de cenobio sancti roberti in pingis. intimę caritatis augmentum! et utriusque uitę felicissimum cursum. Fama sapientię tuę longe lateque diffusa.
a nonnullis ueridicis mihi relata. ad id desiderium me prouocauit. ut de remotis partibus solacium atque subleuamen tuum quererem et me precibus tuis commendarem. Durum namque est. ut qui uitę suę moderamina nescit tenere! iudex fiat uitę alienę. Quapropter dilectionem tuam sincera deuocione deposco. quatenus apud deum orationibus tuis mihi succurras.
et rescripto tuo me munias! quia tam propria uoluntas mea quam cura terrena fere omnibus modis a seruicio dei me abstrahit.
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