R79: Adalbert von Ellwangen an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Greeting
The abbot of Ellwangen sends a warm greeting to Hildegard, honoring her as the beloved bride of Christ and acknowledging the great works of God in her.
The abbot of Ellwangen. To Hildegard. To Hildegard, beloved bride of Christ. A. Called abbot by name alone of Ellwangen. After the valley of tears, the joys of the heavenly citizens.✦ Gladly we extend to your blessedness the duty of greeting, across so great a span of lands lying between us. Embracing in you the great works of God.
Hildegard's Prophetic Gift
The abbot praises God for granting Hildegard holiness and the spirit of prophecy, recognizing her as a divine visitation to a fallen age.
God, who made you powerful in holiness through a purer way of life and planted in you the spirit of prophecy beyond all expectation, to touch the present, to turn over past things, to foresee things to come, so that you might be doubly honored by the newness of so great a divine gift. Truly, you are to be marveled at and venerated by the people of this age. For the rising one has visited us. and now has placed his hand over this falling age.
Hildegard's Intercession and Human Frailty
The abbot celebrates Hildegard's intercession and the mercy received through her, yet confesses the weight of personal sin and inner turmoil.
—who granted such a person, and one so great, to shine out amid the mists of a wicked age. Our age has happily given her to shine forth. Through her intercession we obtain both forgiveness of sins and relief from our hardships. And consolation for our sorrows as well. And we rejoice to know the secret of God's divine plan. Yet our conscience accuses us—and guilt terrifies us! Our sins reprove us. We are troubled within!
Danger, Deception, and a Plea for Guidance
Surrounded by enemies and treachery with no safe refuge, the abbot urges Hildegard to seek God's oracle and reveal what divine mercy may be hoped for.
Outwardly we are in danger. Nowhere is safe for us! On every side the enemy surrounds us with noise. On the right, a treacherous friend lies in wait. On the left, a fierce foe attacks. Regarding these and other matters about which our messengers have consulted your motherhood. Seek the divine oracle! and whatever we should expect from the mercy of God.
Closing Appeal
The abbot closes with a direct plea for Hildegard to write back.
Most holy mother, write back to us.
Read the original Latin
Eluacensis abbas. hildegardi. Hildigardi dilectę sponsę christi. A. solo nominę Eluacensis dictus abbas. post uallem lacrimarum gaudia supernorum ciuium. Libenter beatitudini uestre salutationis officium tanto terrarum spacio interiecto porrigimus. amplectentes in uobis magnalia dei.
qui uos et purioris uitę sanctitate pollere fecit. ac spiritu prophecię supra omnem opinionem uobis indidit. presentia tangere. reuoluere preterita futura preuidere. ut diuini muneris nouitate dupliciter honorata. uere hominibus huius temporis stupenda sitis ac ueneranda. Uisitauit enim nos oriens. et iam ruenti seculo subposuit manum suam.
qui talem ac tantam inter nebulas seculi nequam. nostra feliciter etate dedit clarescere. cuius interuentu et ueniam peccatorum et remedium laborum. et consolationem dolorum obtinere. atque diuinę dispositionis secretum cognoscere gaudemus. Accusat autem nos conscientia nostra terret culpa! peccata redarguunt. Turbamur intus!
foris periclitamur. Nusquam nobis securitas! undique circumsonat hostis. A dextris fraudulentus amicus insidiatur. a sinistris truculentus inimicus obpugnat. De his et aliis super quibus maternitatem uestram nuncij nostri consuluerint. diuinum oraculum consulite! et quicquid nobis de misericordia dei expectandum sit.
mater sanctissima rescribite.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.83.7 — the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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