Bernard of Clairvaux’s response to Hildegard was noncommittal. Nonetheless, someone—possibly Bernard—brought Hildegard’s case to the attention of Pope Eugenius III, who sent papal representatives to examine her. These representatives brought the completed portions of Hildegard’s descriptions of her visions to the pope, who granted Hildegard his support and encouragement to continue her work. Hildegard wrote the following letter to Pope Eugenius III during this period. In it, she recounts her experiences and expresses her hope that the pope will use his power to help her carry her message to all believers. As you read the letter, compare and contrast it to Hildegard’s letter to Bernard of Clairvaux. What similar tactics does Hildegard employ? How do the two letters differ? Why?

O gentle father, poor little woman though I am, I have written those things to you which God saw fit to teach me in a true vision, by mystic inspiration.

O radiant father, through your representatives you have come to us, just as God foreordained, and you have seen some of the writings of truthful visions, which I received from the Living Light, and you have listened to these visions in the embraces of your heart. A part of this writing has now been completed. But still that same Light has not left me, but it blazes in my soul, just as it has from my childhood. Therefore, I send this letter to you now, as God has instructed me. And my spirit desires that the Light of Light shine in you and purify your eyes and arouse your spirit to your duty concerning my writings, so that your soul may be crowned, which will be pleasing to God. In their instability, many people, those wise in worldly things, disparage these writings of mine, criticizing me, a poor creature formed from a rib, ignorant of philosophical matters.

Therefore, father of pilgrims, hear Him Who Is: A mighty king sat in his palace, surrounded by great columns girt with golden bands and beautifully adorned with many pearls and precious stones. It pleased this king to touch a small feather so that it flew miraculously, and a powerful wind sustained it so that it would not fall.

Now, He who is the Living Light shining in the heavens and in the abyss and Who lies hidden in the hearts of those who hear Him says again to you: Prepare this writing for the hearing of those who receive Me and make it fruitful with the juice of sweet savor; make it a root of the branches and a leaf flying in the face of the devil, and you will have eternal life. Do not spurn these mysteries of God, because they have a necessity which lies hidden and has not yet been revealed. May the odor be sweet in you and may you not grow weary on the strait way.

Source: The Personal Correspondence of Hildegard of Bingen: Selected Letters with an Introduction and Commentary by Joseph L. Baird (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006), pp. 21–22.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER