The Abbess Sophia to Hildegard
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen And again I, a poor little feminine form, saw an unsheathed sword hanging in the air, one edge of which was turned toward the heavens, the other toward the earth. And this sword was stretched out over the spiritual people, just as the prophet had long ago foreseen when he cried out in wonder. "Who are these, that fly as clouds, and as doves to their windows" [Is 60.8]? For these were those who were lifted up from the earth and separated from the common people, and they were expected to live saintly lives in simplicity of morals and works like the dove, but now they have become depraved in their morals and their works. And I saw that that sword was cutting off certain monasteries of spiritual men, just as Jerusalem was cut off after the Passion of the Lord. But still I saw that in that adversity God will preserve for Himself many priests who are devout, pure, and simple, just as He answered Elijah, saying that there remained to him "seven thousand men in Israel, whose knees have not been bowed before Baal" [I Kings 19.18].
Now, may the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit so infuse you that you will turn to the better part [cf. Luke 10.42].
Notes 1. See Letter 15r, n. 2.
2. That is, Church offices, the sin of simony.
3. Here, Hildegard echoes the biblical passage in greater detail than a translation can adequately render. See Latin passage in the endnote.
Kitzingen
The Abbess Sophia to Hildegard Before 1153 Hildegard was on very friendly terms with Sophia, abbess of Kitzingen. In this letter of praise, the abbess announces that she is coming to meet with Hildegard, bringing along with her a close friend and praiseworthy nun. At the end, almost as an afterthought, she asks whether it would be proper for her to resign her administrative office.
To Hildegard, mistress of singular merit, unique with sapphires [cf. Cant 5.14] of spiritual virtues, Sophia, called abbess in Kitzingen but deficient in herself, with resolute prayer.
Because of your great sanctity, I am flying with swift wings to the bosom of your love, seeking, for the sake of light, to be commended to you, who, through the True Light, has merited to be revealed for the illumination of the people.
Who would not take delight in the home of the mother of wisdom?1 Who would not willingly give ear to the symphony of heaven? Who would not long