A Provost to Hildegard
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen
A Provost to Hildegard About 1160 The provost writes with lavish praise to Hildegard, thanking her for braving the difficulties and visiting his monastery, not just once but twice.
To Hildegard, his most blessed lady and, if he dares to say it, beloved mother, H., provost in Hordt (although unworthy) and your devoted servant, saintly lady, joins all his brothers in offering submission, prayer, and devoted service.
How can we ever sufficiently repay you, saintly lady and mother? For you, pious lady, would not let the great weakness of your body prevent you from visiting our monastery, nor did you, in the exceptional sweetness of your heart, shudder at the difficulties of the journey. Moreover, you even gladdened us with a second visit! The grace of the Holy Spirit is not slow to recognize great efforts.
Accordingly, you, beloved and foreordained bride of the mighty King, you who are worthy, by the mercy of the Bridegroom, to hear the proclamation of special praise—for He said, "Behold thou art fair, O my love, behold thou are fair, thy eyes are as those of doves" [Cant 1.14]—you, I say, are crowned with variegated garlands of virtues. You give forth a pleasing fragrance "as the lily among thorns" [Cant 2.2], for you are a good and pleasing aroma of Christ [cf. II Cor 2.15] among the daughters of Jerusalem. You are like a star of heaven and of sanctity amid the darkness of this world, and you bring the consolation of hope to us sinners by bringing us the joy of your maternal visit so frequently. For we are like the publican of the Gospel, not daring to lift our eyes to heaven [cf. Luke
18.13]. Yet we are consoled through the organ of your voice, and made worthy to hear the voice of the Lord Christ, Who dwells in you.
Therefore, we genuflect to Christ the Lord, and humbly give thanks that He deigns to console us, unworthy as we are, through you. With humble prayer, we beseech also, our lady and mother, that you pour forth your prayers for us poor sinners to Him Who has brought you into the chamber of His mysteries.
So by the intercession of your merits, He may mercifully deign to rescue us from our sins and enemies, and from the grievous shipwreck of this world, bringing us through, with you, to the harbor of eternal blessing and security.
May the Lord go before you in the blessing of delight [cf. Ps 20.4], and may the Father of all consolation hear you praying for us. In all humility, we greet, through you, the convent of saintly ladies, who faithfully serve our Lord Jesus
Christ with you and under your guidance, and we humbly commend ourselves to their prayers. With all devotion we desire you to write back to us.