Abbot Adelbert to Hildegard
The Letters Ellwangen
Abbot Adelbert to Hildegard Before 1170 In this brief letter of high praise for Hildegard, Adelbert asks the seer to consult the divine oracle for assistance with his problems, for, as he notes in very general terms, he is surrounded on every side by enemies. Adelbert is apparently fearful of committing specifics to written form, for he indicates that the messenger will supply further information.
Adelbert, abbot (unworthy though I am) of Ellwangen, to Hildegard, beloved bride of Christ, with a prayer that she may share the joys of the citizens of heaven once she has left this vale of tears [cf. Ps 83.7].
Although separated from you by so great a distance, blessed lady, we gladly send our greetings, embracing in you the mighty works of God [cf. Ecclus 18.5;
Acts 2.11], for, through God's grace, the sanctity of your exceptionally pure life shines above all others, and the spirit of prophecy, with which you are divinely endowed beyond human understanding, enables you to comprehend the present, unveil the past, foresee the future.8 Thus doubly honored by an unheard-of gift of God, you are truly the object of wonder and veneration by the people of this age. Indeed the Dawn has visited us [cf. Luke 1.78] and has placed His hand upon this tottering ageb since, even in the midst of the storm clouds of this evil generation [cf. Gal 1.4], He has graciously given such a one as you to bring light to our time. As a result of this divine intervention, therefore, we rejoice to be able to comprehend the divine ordering of things, and to obtain forgiveness for our sins, remedy for our pains, and consolation for our grief.c
Yet our conscience still accuses us, our guilt terrifies us, and our sins rebuke us. We are troubled within, endangered without. Security eludes us, for the enemy hosts resound on every side. A deceitful friend lies in ambush on the right; a savage adversary besieges us on the left