Hildegard to the
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen Therefore, uncertain what to do, we humbly pray that by your prayers the will of God will become a little clearer concerning these matters. But if we deserve to receive a letter of assurance from you about what is best to do in these matters, or what is pleasing to God, we will make it our goal, always, to pay back this kindness with our own prayers, for we know that this, our only possible course of action, will please you most, beloved lady.
120r Hildegard to the Congregation of Monks 1153-54 Hildegard comforts the monks by assuring them that their monastery can regain its original luster, just as spring follows winter. The Living Eye, she assures them, knows the source of their difficulties, which she then lists in detail. Finally, she takes the opportunity—once again, as in her preceding letter—to beseech them to show mercy to those deserving of it.
The Serene Light says: O lamenting sheepfold adorned with the sign of obedience, be stable in your thoughts, and heave up your desires to the love of God.
Take heed where prosperity lies—and where adversity. Consider the nature of the valleys. For a while they grow green and flourish from the dew of heaven and the warmth of the sun, but, with the change of the seasons, they dry up and fade away. Yet although they lose their beauty at the end of the season, I do not forget that they will flourish again.
So, too, I do not forget your monastery, for, through the grace of Wisdom, it retains the basic material of sanctity so that it can return to its pristine righteousness. Be, therefore, a bright, victorious sheepfold, trampling underfoot those vices which are troubling you in a difficult time. And do not blush to accuse yourselves of evil works, for God anoints all wounds, and, through penitence, cleanses.
The Living Eye has, nevertheless, taken note of the original cause of anguish that is troubling you, and knows too that it comes from the stubbornness of your higher prelates. For the sweet s of the anointing mother Mercy has been withheld from certain of the she among you, who were wrongly given penance out of all proportion to their fault. An unseasonable rain makes the land arid. Thus if a man sins and has no one to anoint him, he will flee and dry up, for the medicine administered to him is too harsh.
The Letters
Now, dear sons, hear the voice of the Living Light. Reach out and grasp mercy, which comes not from you, but only from God; and so do not withhold it from those to whom it should be extended. Bring them back, therefore, and restore health to their souls.
Manegold to Hildegard Manegold1 was elected abbot of Hirsau on 25 March 1156 at the age of 60. Perhaps because of his advanced age, perhaps because of the general unrest in the monastery, he experienced many difficulties during the period of his administration. In his troubles, he turns to Hildegard for advice and assistanc
To his most holy lady and mother Hildegard, M, unworthy abbot of Hirsau, offers his prayers and obedience.
I have heard that there is a spring of water at Gyrene that flows with wine, just as among the Germans you, good mother, are a spring of waters rushing in and out, a bosom of spices, and, for visible things, sight to the eyes. For you, my lady, drink deep and pour forth into forms our minds can grasp, and, in practical matters, you are force and motion urging to the life of contemplation.2 a Therefore, I have long been impelled—and still am—to esteem, honor, and admire you, as well as to serve you and yours, and in all things, both in word and deed, to be yours and your sisters' in prayers and obedience to the extent that it is proper for me.
I beg you, my mother and lady, remember me in your most holy prayers, and love the one who most humbly loves you. May you take cognizance of the one who reveres you in Christ, and please, in God's name, write a letter back to me.
Notes 1. Despite Van Acker's unequivocal heading, there are problems with the attribution of this letter. The superscript in the MSS attributes it simply to the abbot of Hirsau, and the text of the letter supplies only the initial M. Van Acker's question mark after the date of 1156—the year of Manegold's election as abbot—is the only indication of the problem.
2. Our translation of this sentence represents our reasoned wrestling with an exceptionally obscure (perhaps corrupt?) text. See endnote for the Latin.