The Abbot Nicholas to Hildegard
The Letters of Hildegard ofBingen much" [James 5.16], there is much that I cannot explain, immoderate sinner that I am, perilously overwhelmed by spiritual and physical weakness.
Please send me something in writing to inform me what the divine mysteries say I should do. Farewell, lady, and pray to your Bridegroom for me.
Note \. Strictly speaking, a provisor was a kind of administrator who attended to the secular affairs of the monastery.
Heilsbronn
The Abbot Nicholas to Hildegard Before 1170 The abbot beseeches Hildegard to provide him warning through her letters and protection from evil through her prayers.
To the venerable and much-beloved mother in Christ, the lady Hildegard of St. Rupert, brother Nicholas, unworthy abbot in Heilsbronn, with a prayer that she obtain her most felicitous and sublime desires.
Certain that you always take delight in foreseeing things that are universally beneficial, I pray earnestly that you console me with your customary affection. I am sure you know, saintly lady, why I have not visited you for a long time, although I have greatly desired to do so. Still, I perform in mind that which I cannot accomplish in deed. Whatever the case, I rely wholly on you.
Now, however, I ask, I beseech, I implore that divine consolation be given to me through you, that is, that through your letters I may be warned, and through your holy prayers I may be pulled from the grip of evil. For with God nothing is impossible [cf. Matt 19.26; Mark 10.27; Luke 18.27], and we know that this will not be denied to you. Farewell.