R57: Adam von Ebrach an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Joyful Greeting
Adam greets Hildegard with humility and expresses his great joy upon first learning her name.
Adam, abbot of Ebrach. To Hildegard. O Lord, and to the mother—His most beloved Hildegard. To the mistress of the sisters of Saint-Robert in Pinguis.1 Brother Adam, abbot—though unworthy—of Ebrach. A small thing—but it is something. From the very first moment I learned your name!2 I have rejoiced with great joy.
God's Gracious Bringing and Anxious Care
Adam rejoices that God brought Hildegard to them, recalls his anxious concerns, and asks for her prayerful discernment.
God has increased my joy: with a kind and wonderful nod he directed you here, so that your face might be seen and your voice heard in our land. And to me he granted what I could scarcely have hoped for. He granted us a face-to-face conversation. And now, about the things I said to you in my anxiety, I trust you have not forgotten them! And because different people think different things — some one thing, some another! If it is good and salvation in the sight of the Lord — blessed God! If there is danger, pray to God that he may grant me what is good and salvation for my soul.
Letters, Embassy, and Readiness to Serve
Adam sends letters and a messenger to the emperor on Hildegard's behalf, offers his service, and asks for her prayers amid distress for his brothers.
and may it shut out every danger. Now then, I'm sending letters. and our messenger to the lord emperor on your behalf. and I hope, through the grace of God, that we will be heard. and wherever you may need our service. we will be ready to serve you. We also beg that you would deign to pray for us. because truly we are in a storm because of anxiety for our brothers.
Prayer for the Spirit's Strengthening Work
Adam asks that the same prophetic grace at work in Hildegard would also look on and strengthen them, and that she would be consoled by their writings.
so that the grace of the Holy Spirit, which works many wondrous things in you through the prophetic spirit, may He look upon us also, and strengthen us. We also ask that you may deign to be consoled and fortified by our writings.
Read the original Latin
Adam abbas de ebra. hildegardi. Domine et matri suę dilectissime hildegardi. magistre sororum de sancto Rvberto in pinguis. frater adam abbas licet indignus de ebra. modicum id quod est. Cum primum noticiam nominis uestri suscepi! gauisus sum gaudio magno.
Adauxit deus gaudium meum cum nutu benigno et mirabili direxit uos ut uideretur facies et audiretur uox uestra in terra nostra. michique quod uix sperare poteram. mutuam concessit collocutionem. De quibus autem me uobis dixi anxium confido uos non immemorem esse! et quia diuersi diuersa sentiunt. alii istud alij illud! si bonum est et salus apud dominum benedictus deus! si periculum orate deum ut bonum michi et salutem animę tribuat.
et omne periculum excludat. Nunc uero litteras mitto. et nuncium nostrum domino imperatori pro causa uestra. et spero per gratiam dei nos exaudiri! et ubicumque seruicij nostri indigueritis. parati erimus seruire uobis. Exoramus quoque ut pro nobis orare dignemini. quia uere in turbine sumus pro sollicitudine fratrum nostrorum.
ut spiritus sancti gratia quę multa mirabilia spiritu prophetico in uobis operatur. inspiciat etiam et nos! et muniat. Rogamus etiam! ut ex nos scriptis uestris consolari et premunire dignemini.
Notes
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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