Hildegard to the Dean
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen 158r Hildegard to the Dean
In the beginning of her letter, Hildegard answers the question about Sigewize in large, allegorical terms, and, then, in more specific detail, with the emphasis, however, on the prayers and alms of others, with no particulars about her own efforts.
God created His work, but He did not establish it in one set way.a Adam perished, and did not complete his full cycle, but fell asleep after noon. Then, God sent His breath into the prophets so that they might utter the truth, and thus
Wisdom spoke through the mouths of those she had established, so that they might produce miracles. Next, the apostles, through the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, brought God's work to completion by faith; and their martyrdom, and the martyrdom of others, revealed the existence of God. Nowadays, the Holy Spirit has filled spiritual people, who bring the age to completion among themselves, and cultivate the angelic order.b Thus God's work is like the day. All have spoken in unison, but have clamored as individuals. At daybreak, dawn precedes the sun, and in the morning the sun's rays shine forth. At the third hour it begins to blaze with heat, and at noon it is fully ablaze. Then, about the ninth hour, its heat decreases, and toward evening the heat it had during the day comes to an end, and, finally, is hidden in the night. Thus the day is completed and rests from all its works, and if these works were completed in one set way, mankind would be greatly displeased.
Whence it is that God is called "Sabaoth," because each person is obliged to fulfill a course of this kind. In just this way God acts in all His works.
This has been the case in the woman you inquire about. On her behalf, the exalted, and the even more exalted, the lowly, and even more lowly, have spoken as one with their labors and prayers, and have clamored as individuals, in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Spirit For some individuals have labored on her behalf through sighs of compassion; others, by prayers and vigils; and others, by fasts and scourgings. Moreover, many have given alms for her sake, and a large number of others have taken her part by helping her with all the good in their power. Others have brought this duty to completion with their great and persistent zeal. Thus, just as the day completes its cycle, all were looking to God at the same time for her sake.
Now, let us all together say: Glory to you, O Lord.
The blessing of God's grace be upon you and upon all those who have been moved to compassion for her, for, as the Lord Himself says, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice" [Matt 9.13; 12.7; cf. Hos 6.6].