Hildegard to the Abbess Adelheid
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen Gandersbeim
Hildegard to the Abbess Adelheid 1152-70 Addressed as it is to a nun1 formerly under Hildegard's governance, and indeed a nun that she fought to retain, this letter of general consolation and admonition surprises with its objective and generalized tone. Note Adelheid's more personal tone in the letter that follows.
The Serene Light says to you: Day excels the night, but night speaks knowledge [cf. Ps 18.2]. How is this so? Day gives proof to the visual and auditory senses of what ought to be rejoiced in and celebrated, while night provides the opportunity to make useful choices, and waits upon the day. Sometimes, however, a storm precedes the day, and only afterward does the day appear clear and bright.
You have been in the first light, O daughter of God, and you have been trod down in the winepress [cf. Is 63.3; Lam 1.15]. But, later, you have walked on broad paths. Now, be careful not to leave the good paths, because God wants you and knows you, and, if you look to Him, He will speedily aid you. But when you reach out to the vanity of the world, it overwhelms you. Therefore, choose from these two directions what is good for you, because if, by seeing and hearing, you call upon God, He will not abandon you.
May God so help you that the day shines in you, and the night withdraws from you, so that you may become a jewel amid virtues. Then you will live forever.
Note \. Adelheid was the niece of Richardis, Hildegard's favorite nun (see Introduction,
Vol. 1, p. 18, and Letters 4,12,13,13r, 18, and 64). Adelheid was a nun along with Richardis in Hildegard's community at Mount St. Rupert. During that time both girls were elected abbess of other communities, an election in both cases that Hildegard strongly opposed.
Adelheid took up her duties in 1152.
The Abbess Adelheid to Hildegard 1152-73 Alluding to her early years under Hildegard's tutelage, Adelheid writes Hildegard in the name of "ancient friendship," begging to renew earlier ties.