R39: Bf. H. von Prag an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting from Prague to the Bride of Christ
The Bishop of Prague greets Hildegard with humble self-description, prayerful offering, and praise for the Spirit’s work in her consolation of many.
The Bishop of Prague. To Hildegard. H. By the grace of God, the unworthy servant of the church in Prague and bishop, though I'm not worthy of it! To Hildegard, bride of Christ and abbess of St. Robert in Bingen. Whatever small gift of my prayers I can offer, with all devotion. We glorify the Lord our God, magnifying him. Illuminated by whose Spirit, you come to the aid of many in their troubles, comforting and lifting them up.
Desire to See Her, Hindered by Distance
The bishop rejoices in Hildegard’s widespread reputation and good fruit, expresses a strong desire to meet, yet confesses that great distance prevents it, and asks for her prayerful support.
And with that same Spirit working alongside you, you multiply the fruit of good work in the hearts of many! Just as we've heard you spoken of through many lands and regions far and wide. So let your holiness take note of this.1 Because we have a great desire to see you. And to enjoy conversation with you in Christ! But the great distance of places prevents this from happening. And since we have perceived that your love has come to the aid of very many in their need, we are encouraged by this confidence and implore your affection.2 So that in the worldly trials we face, you'd assist us with your prayers, and offer us good counsel.
Lasting Remembrance and Prayer for Persevering Grace
Having heard of her name and grace, the bishop has always cherished her memory and prays that the grace given by the true light may remain with her forever.
Ever since we heard your name and the grace Christ bestowed on you, we've always held your memory in our hearts. And we pray that this same grace, which is with you from the true light, may always remain.✦
Read the original Latin
Episcopus bragensium. hildegardi. H. dei gratia bragensium minister inutilis et episcopus licet indignus! hildegardi sponse christi et magistrę de sancto roberto in pingis. qualecumque munusculum orationum suarum cum omni deuotione. Dominum deum nostrum magnificando glorificamus. cuius spiritu illuminata plurimorum tribulationibus consolando et subleuando subuenis.
et fructum boni operis eodem spiritu cooperante in multorum mentibus multiplicas! sicut etiam per plurima terrarum spacia de te referri audiuimus. Vnde sanctitas tua nouerit. quia magnum desiderium inest nobis te uidere. atque colloquio tuo perfrui in christo! sed magna difficultas locorum hoc fieri impedit. Et quoniam caritatem tuam plurimorum necessitatibus subuenisse percepimus hac fiducia animati dilectionem tuam imploramus. quatenus nobis in tribulationibus mundanis quas satis orationibus tuis subuenias et bona consilia porrigas!
quia ex quo nomen tuum et gratiam a christo tibi collatam audiuimus. memoriam tuam in cordibus nostris semper habuimus. et ut eadem gratia quę de uero lumine est apud te semper maneat exoptamus.
Scripture echoes
- ↩John.1.9 — The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Notes
- 1 ↩nouerit: perfect subjunctive with jussive/result force — rendered as an exhortation ('let … take note') rather than a simple future statement.
- 2 ↩caritatem rendered as 'love' per lexeme policy default; dilectionem rendered as 'affection' to preserve the distinction between the two terms in the same sentence.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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