R53: Graf Philipp von Flandern an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Humble Praise
Count Philip introduces himself, greets Hildegard with deep love, and praises her holy life and the power of the righteous person’s prayer.
Philip, Count of Flanders. To Hildegard. Philip of Flanders and of Wermes, Count, to the lady Hildegard, handmaid of Christ: greeting and deepest love. Let your holiness know that I am prepared to do whatever I might learn would please you, because your holy way of life and most honorable conduct have very often resounded in my ears, sweeter than any report. Although I am indeed a sinner and unworthy— nevertheless I love the servants and friends of Christ with my whole heart. And I gladly honor them with every kind of reverence. Mindful of that Scripture—the constant prayer of the righteous is of great avail.✦
Desire, Hindrance, and Request for Prayer
Philip sends a trusted messenger because he cannot visit in person due to daily duties and his imminent journey to Jerusalem, and he humbly asks Hildegard to intercede for him before God.
And so I'm sending to the grace of your devotion the bearer [REDACTED] this letter, my most faithful servant, who'll speak with you on my behalf as a wretched sinner. I would very much rather have come to you in person. and spoken with you about what I've longed for. But so many pressing affairs of mine come up every single day that I haven't been able to get away for this. The time is now upon me when I must set out on the journey to Jerusalem, for which I need extensive preparation — and on this matter I'd ask you to share your counsel with me by letter. For I believe word of my name and my deeds has reached you many times, and that I stand in great need of God's mercy. And so I humbly and earnestly beg you with the most insistent prayers. to intercede for me before God, the most wretched and utterly unworthy sinner that I am.
Petition for Prophetic Counsel
Philip asks Hildegard to seek God’s guidance about his plans, how he might exalt Christianity, resist the Saracens, and whether he should remain in the Holy Land or return.
I also ask, humbly, that insofar as divine mercy has granted you, you would inquire of God what would be best for me, and send your counsel back to me by letter through the bearer [REDACTED] this letter. What? And how should I act? that the name of Christianity may be exalted in my times. and that the fierce brutality of the Saracens may be crushed. and if it will be useful for me to remain in that land or to return. according to what, namely, you have perhaps heard about my situation. and you have come to know by divine revelation, or are about to.
Christ’s Farewell and Confidence in Prayer
Philip closes by wishing Hildegard farewell in Christ, expressing his strong desire for her counsel and his great confidence in her prayers.
Farewell in Christ, beloved sister, and know that I greatly desire to hear your counsel. And I have the greatest confidence in your prayers.
Read the original Latin
Philippus comes Flandrię. hildegardi. Philippus flandrię et uiromensis comes domicellę hildegardi ancillę christi salutem et plurimam dilectionem. Uestra nouerit sanctitas me paratum esse ad faciendum quicquid scirem uobis placere quia sancta conuersatio uestra et uita honestissima sepissime meis insonuit auribus omni fama suauior. Quamuis enim peccator sim et indignus. tamen christi seruos et amicos toto corde diligo. et omnimoda ueneratione libenter honoro. illius scripturę memor multum ualet assidua iusti deprecatio.
Unde est quod ad pietatis uestrę gratiam mitto presentium latorem fidelissimum seruientem meum qui pro me misero peccatore uobiscum loquatur. cum ego tamen multo libentius ad uos uenissem. et uobis locutus fuissem quod desideraui. sed tot et tanta sunt negocia mea quę singulis diebus emergunt quod ad hęc uacare non poteram. Instat etiam iam tempus quo aggredi debeam iter ierosolimitanum ad quod quod opus mihi est magno apparatu super quo consilium uestrum mihi intimare dignemini per litteras uestras. Credo enim quod ad uos sepius peruenit fama nominis mei et actuum meorum et multa dei miseratione indigeo. unde et uos maxima precum instantia suppliciter exoro. ut pro me miserrimo et indignissimo peccatore apud deum intercedere uelitis.
Rogo etiam humiliter ut in quantum uobis concesserit diuina misericordia inquiratis a deo quid mihi expediat et litteris uestris per latorem presentium mihi renuntietis consilium uestrum. quid. et quomodo faciam. ut nomen christianitatis temporibus meis exaltetur. et dira sarracenorum feritas deprimatur. et si utile mihi erit in terra illa morari uel reuerti. iuxta id uidelicet quod de statu meo forsitan audistis. et diuina reuelatione cognouistis aut cognitura estis.
Ualete in christo soror dilecta et scitote quod multum desidero audire consilium uestrum. et quod maximam in uestris orationibus habeo fiduciam.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Jas.5.16 — Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful as it works.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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