An Abbot to Hildegard
TbeLettert
llbenstadt
An Abbot to Hildegard Before 1173 The abbot complains that he has written Hildegard over and over again, but has never received a response. He begs for a letter and for her prayers.
To his lady and mistress, Hildegard, Brother N. in llbenstadt, helpless and poor, along with the flock entrusted to him, with a prayer that she be admitted to the eternal company of the virgins.
I have often importuned you with many letters, and I have petitioned you repeatedly, but I have never been able to get you to respond with a letter as you promised. Can it be—no, surely, that is not the case!—that my low birth and humble position has delayed your response, or perhaps—and this is more credible—my merits have had no weight with you? The Apostle says, "to the wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor" [Rom 1.14], and Truth itself says, "Suffer the little children to come unto me" [Mark 10.14]. Mother, the very idea that you show any partiality just cannot be so!
Now then, hear this wretch just once as I cry out to you [cf. Ps 26.7; 140.1], and pray our Lord on my behalf that He may deign to relieve me, the poor servant who trusts in Him, for I am surrounded by all manner of tribulations and distress.
A Prioress to Hildegard Before 1173 The prioress asks for Hildegard's prayers that she might be assisted in the heavy dudes of her administrative office.
To Hildegard, her mistress, N., unworthy overseer of the servants of Christ in llbenstadt, with a prayer that she attain to that loftiest, most sublime Good through that celestial gift which she has tasted to the full [cf. Heb 6.4].
Blessed be Jesus Christ Whose good odor unto God you are in every place [cf. II Cor 2.14—15], for not merely the fragrance of balsam but the very substance itself of the sacred unguent has flowed into you, and its fragrant scent has