Letter 29: Arnold, Superior of St. Andrew in Cologne, to Hildegard
The Letters
Arnold, Superior of St. Andrew in Cologne, to Hildegard Before 1169 The self-reviling in this letter goes far beyond the usual humility formula. Arnold seeks help from Hildegard for his poor, wretched self, from her divine revelations if possible, if not from her ordinary wisdom.
Arnold, Superior of St. Andrew in Cologne (although unworthy), to Hildegard, lady and dearest mother, with a prayer that she may always flourish in the Lord.
Dearest lady, you know, not only from our conversations but also through divine revelation, how sorely my soul is tried by the tribulations of temptation, both inwardly and outwardly. Now, therefore, because I am weak and because
1 see in myself no progress at all toward God, I have written to you, my lady, fully prepared to follow your commands implicitly, whether founded in divine revelation or simply in the wisdom of your counsel. Do not spare me, I beseech you. Do not hide my iniquity from me. I fear for the tattered remains of my impoverished spirit, and I am terrified that I am being sucked down into the abyss. Therefore, O dearest mother, strong in Christ, please intercede for me, and pray for my wretched soul.
May the Lord be with you and yours.
Hildegard to Eberhard, Bishop of Bamberg
In this short letter, Hildegard seeks help from Eberhard (bishop of Bamberg from 1146 to 1170) for Gertrude, widow of Count Hermann von Stahleck. As sister of King Conrad III and of Duke Frederick II of Schwabia, and aunt to Barbarossa, she was of the highest nobility. Gertrude and her husband liberally supported
Mount St. Rupert, and after her husband's death, Gertrude dedicated her life to God, and entered the Cistercian monastery of Wechterswinkel. The request made by Hildegard here for a more suitable convent for Gertrude and her nuns was received well by Eberhard, who turned over the hospital belonging to the