Letter XXX. To Albero, Primicerius of Metz

(Circa A.D. 1126.)

He warns Albero to wait God's good time for the completion of a certain business which he was hurrying on, and that He requires us rather to do good for a good reason than from an interested motive.¹

To the very honourable ALBERO, by the Grace of God Primicerius of the Church of Metz, the brethren who serve God to the best of their power at Clairvaux, health and their prayers.

We have formerly heard and seen, and now have experienced for ourselves, your faithful zeal in the things of God. But although you were favourable and your Bishop gave prompt assent to the things proposed to him by the brethren whom we last sent to you, after your counsel: as our first duty is to know God's good pleasure in all things, especially in matters of religion, and to know what is His good pleasure in that matter, we have thought it advisable, as was agreed between our brethren and your Bishop, not to abandon, but to defer until after the harvest (that time being convenient in itself and for you), the execution of a design of which your assistance prepares and facilitates the progress, and your help will bring, as soon as possible, to an honourable conclusion. But now if your Bishop, and you yourself, are still in the same mind as before, we have still more confidence that it is the will of God, and that there is nothing better to do than what you propose. So that we hope to satisfy your pious desire (which is shared by us also) according as it was determined on. I think that to be accepted by God, we ought to study as much as in us lies, to be burdensome to no one, that it may not seem that we (which may God forbid) seek His glory less than our own interests; and especially that it would not be pleasing to God, nor would be in accordance with our manner of life, to make ourselves troublesome to you when there is no need for an occasion of that kind; nor to with draw you from your other greater and more pressing occu pations.

Footnotes

1. Mabillon observes: '' I find three persons of the same name who have borne one after the other this title at this epoch. I believe that this Letter is addressed to the second Albero, who became later on Archbishop of Treves.'' Bernard had much affection for him, and it was on his behalf that the Letters 176-180 were written. The title Primicerius is generally derived from qui in prima cerd hceres scrip/us, and hence it denoted the chief in any department. It was used in Italian Cathedrals especially, i. In the abbey of Monte Casino it denoted the chief over the scriptorium where MSS. were copied. 2. The chief of the Canlovum Schola, founded by Pope Hilarius, and extended by Pope Gregory the Great, for the improvement of singing. Similarly at Aberdeen Cathedral the precentor was called by that title, and in other cathedrals it denoted the chief chanter; 3. A chief notary; 4. The Chancellor of a Cathedral; 5. In the Church of S. Stephen, at Metz, the title was given to the first of the canons, who was privileged (among other marks of honour) to wear a cross on the breast, to use a purple vestment, and to take the chief place in choir and chapter. [From Mabillon (and elsewhere). — E.] ↩