Hildegard to the Monk Dietzelinus
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen But because I am not able to come to see you in person—although I long to very much—I present myself, humble and submissive, as best I can in this present letter. Pitiable, I cast myself again and again at your feet, merciful lady, so that you will not disdain to pray earnestly to God almighty for my distress and misery. For I have no doubt that you can obtain whatever you desire from the Holy
Spirit, Who dwells within your heart. And I am assured that by His revelation you can divine through this letter my condition and all that pertains to me, past, present, and future.
Therefore, if my puny condition dares to seek it and if it does not displease you, I pray, humble and submissive in heart and body, that you will not disdain to gladden my heart by apprising me of my current condition, either advising me concerning past and present matters or prophesying and giving me warning about the future and the conclusion of my life.
Siegburg (St. Michael}
Hildegard to the Monk Dietzelinus Before 1170 Hildegard writes in answer to a letter that has not come down to us. Dietzelinus had apparently asked her to interpret some sign that he (or perhaps some friend of his) had received.
Concerning the sign you asked me about, that was more a matter of God's love than of His vengeance, for He saw that great fear would rise in your heart And that person you inquired about was fortunate, because sometimes God shows
His signs to men so that they may produce good fruit, like the dew that falls on fertile ground.
Your mind is like a torrent of pure water, but sometimes it is restless. Now, rise up into gentleness, like the sun that placidly and quietly maintains all its seasons. Do likewise, O valiant knight, and establish the light of your soul, lest you dry up from excessiveness in any thing, for Jesus loves you and desires your sacrifice.
The Letters
A Congregation of Monks to Hildegard 1164(?)-70 The monks of St Michael in Siegburg chose Hildegard as their spiritual mother, and wrote her letter after letter, but never received a reply. Here, once again, they write expressing their special reverence for Hildegard, and begging her, once again, for a letter.
To Hildegard, beloved lady and mother, the brothers of Saint Michael in Siegburg of one accord offer whatever servants owe to their lady or sons to their mother.
He Who knows all secrets is aware with what an extraordinary feeling of love we have chosen you as our spiritual mother and have brought you into the circle of our prayers, and you yourself, beloved lady, have been able to observe this from the sheer number of messages we have sent to you. Yet you have never shown us any sign of motherly affection. And despite our desire, you have never even sent us a letter of admonition, which you should have done even against our will, just as a mother gives wholesome advice to her children.
But, as we have begun, we do not cease knocking at the door of your heart, so that if you do not arise because you are our mother, you may nevertheless arise because of our importunity, and give us what we need [cf. Luke 11.8].
For we petition that, taught by a true vision, you reveal to us some information about the state of our monastery, and that you send to us words that advise and chastise.
These are the matters that we particularly desire you to look into, beloved mother, humbly beseeching you to inform us in writing about these and other matters that you know to be even more essential for us. We also implore you to make us a partner in your prayers, even as we have made you a partner in ours.
Farewell.