Letter 22: Conrad, Archbishop of Mainz, to Hildegard
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen But gird yourself with justice and the love of eternal felicity. Moreover, in the dawning of this new day, do not give heed to those who spurn God and reject His works, as it is written: "Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog" [Ps 21.21]. In this way, you will escape from the sword which falls on evil men, and avoid the infidelity of the words of men who, like dogs, reject God. Now, however, may God teach you to be a faithful servant so that you may live forever.
Conrad, Archbishop of Mainz, to Hildegard 1163-65(?) Conrad responds to Hildegard seeking her prayers for the onerous administrative burden that he has taken on.
Conrad, by the grace of God archbishop of the see of Mainz, sends the devotion of his grace—both paternal and filial—to Hildegard, beloved mistress of the sisters at St. Rupert in Bingen.
Although we are overburdened with onerous duties, we are writing you a brief letter because we long for your affection with all our heart and mind. And because we know that you have been inspired by the Holy Spirit, we long to hear your words of exhortation. For while we strive to serve this earthly kingdom with our body, we often neglect to serve the heavenly King with our spirit.1 Therefore, we entrust ourselves to your prayers and the prayers of your sisters so that, aided by them, we may with God's merciful help be rescued from the whirlwinds and storms of this age, by which we are greatly fatigued.
We want you to be assured that we are ready and able to help you in all your needs as far as God has granted us the ability.
Note 1. An echo of the medieval commonplace of the dangers to one's immortal soul of accepting a high ecclesiastical office. The theme is most strikingly expressed in those widespread stories of a monk, elected bishop, who, after an early death, returned to reveal that because he had accepted the office, he was damned—or, if he had refused the office, that he was in paradise.
The Letters
22r Hildegard to Conrad, Archbishop of Mainz 1163-65(?) Another general letter of admonition from I lildegard to the archbishop exhorting him to rule justly, for his authority conies directly from God.
The mystic vision says to you: O man in authority, Christ has appointed you as his representative, for all power is from God [cf. Rom 13.1]. No one has ever been found to compare with God, who is the Father of all, because all things proceed from Him. Therefore, he is king of all and the priest who became man and offered up an unblemished sacrifice to set mankind free.
According to his own solemn oath, He is priest, as it is written: "The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech" [Ps 109.4]. Indeed, in order to conquer evil, God foreordained that he would become man, with no sin, with no need of penitence, with none of the divisions and contradictions of sinful mankind. This was foreshadowed by Melchisedech.
Therefore, you, O man, you who are now in the broad daylight, hasten before night comes when no man can work [cf. John 9.4], and strive with true power to teach God's precepts to your people, and rule them in true justice, as God rules them. And govern them with mercy, zealously, since God himself has freed them. For all such power and authority to govern is from God. But also, in your compassion, "make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings" [Luke
16.9].
Now, O father and, after Christ, master, hear this poor little creature writing to you the things I have seen in the True Light, so that you may stretch out your hand to all of us who in our need run to you for refuge. And in return for the joy you offer them, you will be received into the eternal joy of the tabernacles, and will live in the eternal blessedness for which God created you.
Amen.