The Monk Guibert to Hildegard
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen
The Monk Guibert to Hildegard
Guibert, once again, exhorts Hildegard to answer the questions sent to her, and also thanks her for her book that she sent to them.
Guibert of Gembloux and the brothers and sons of the church at Villers to Hildegard, the spiritual mother of the faithful, and luminous servant of Christ.
May yours be the palm and flower of immortal glory in the heavenly Jerusalem [cf. Heb 12.22].
Blessed be God, holy mother, Who has, we believe, not only destined you for singular glory in Heaven, but has beforehand endowed you with special grace, so that, through you, those who are proficient in the faith may be even more greatly strengthened in the Lord; so that sinners may be lifted up by the hope of forgiveness; so that the fainthearted may be consoled [cf. I Thess 5.14]; and so that the ignorant and erring may be instructed by your holy admonitions. Rejoicing in the blessed happiness of this sacred hope, holy lady, we sent a letter to you, seeking definitive knowledge, which we greatly desired, concerning certain secrets, mysteries, and matters of great import We humbly beseech you to respond to our queries. We ask also that you give full consideration to the questions asked and completely satisfy our expectation, omitting nothing necessary in such great matters, nor for the sake of brevity hastily passing over anything that ought to be spoken. Indeed, if you enlighten the Church of God about matters the world has been ignorant of until now, it will be to the glory of Christ and to your eternal memory. Therefore, so that you may shine like the radiance of the firmament [cf. Dan 12.3] to future generations, open your mouth in the law of the Almighty so that receiving from your fullness we may understand and know the hidden secrets of God's wisdom [cf. Ps 50.8].
We who have gathered these questions together cast ourselves at your feet, pouring forth our prayers. So also do your sons among us: brothers Anselm, Siger, and John, those whom you have loved and cherished from the beginning and whom you have molded by your wholesome admonitions. All of these, along with our dear brother Eustachius—who, although he has never seen you in person, greatly loves you all the same in Christ—and our whole church greet you with affectionate good will and commend themselves with faithful supplication to your prayers. They make this one request with special devotion, that you keep pursuing until you fulfill your outstanding work, holy and worthy of all blessing, that work in which the grace of your sanctity and the uniqueness of that splendid truth shines forth as in a mirror.
For the glory of God and the prosperity of His church, therefore, be vigilant, O luminous spirit. Undertake this work of spirituality with all your might, and launch the little ship of your inner wisdom, emblazoned with the merits of