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Has anyone thought about the eremitical life as a vocational decision? If so, what communities have you looked at, and opinions, if any, please.

God bless.

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DevotedtoHim

Gosh, I feel like a walking vocation directory! I have thought about this as a vocation. I think I have mostly looked into the Carthusians as a life of hermit-spirituality. However, there are not any American nun Carthusians. I have written to one of the houses in Europe and while I did get a great answer back, one has to speak the language (of the country) fluently.

I have also looked into the Bethlehem Sisters, too as well as the Carmelites in Port Tobacco because they have individual hermitages.

My diocese does not let individuals become hermits under this Bishop, so that is another option. I'm sure somebody on this phorum will have some of the websites (like blogs) of the various hermits who live independently under a Bishop.

Interesting vocation, I might just end up moving to a diocese that supports that vocation and do it. Who knows!

Katherine

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I've never thought about the possibility that a bishop wouldn't allow a hermit(ess) their diocese. Interesting.

I have a friend who is a hermit and so I have some knowledge, but I guess I never thought that a bishop would say 'no'.

I'm considering moving out of the state I'm living in now, so I suppose I'll be looking into those dioceses that allow that as a possible vocation choice, should that be something I wish to discern further at a later date.

Thanks!

D.

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Laudem Gloriae

Before entering the Sheffield Carmel, nunsense stayed with the Hermits of Bethlehem and looked into the Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. She posted at the threads below - and probably others - these are what I found. If you are looking at these type of orders.

Here are some past PM threads on the Sisters of Bethlehem, Hermits of Bethlehem and the Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - sisters.


[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=56995&hl=hermits"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...&hl=hermits[/url]

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=77990&hl=hermits"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...&hl=hermits[/url]

Hermits of Bethlehem:

A Way of Desert Spirituality: The Plan of Life of the Hermits of Bethlehem, Chester, New Jersey, by Fr. Romano founder of the Hermits of Bethlehem at
[url="http://www.amazon.com/Way-Desert-Spirituality-Hermits-Bethlehem/dp/0818908211"]http://www.amazon.com/Way-Desert-Spiritual...m/dp/0818908211[/url]

[url="http://www.patersondiocese.org/page.cfm?Web_ID=1424"]http://www.patersondiocese.org/page.cfm?Web_ID=1424[/url]



Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - sisters:

[url="http://www.hermitsofourladyofmountcarmel.org/index.htm"]http://www.hermitsofourladyofmountcarmel.org/index.htm[/url]

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Thank you!

I have Way of Desert Spirituality. I've had it for a while and am just beginning to read it.

I have the Hermits of OLMC bookmarked but have never contacted them.

The previous PM links made me smile. I have posted in the first link. I see nunsense was interested in them at one point.

Thanks again.

Pax,

D.

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+Praised be Jesus Christ!

Laudem, as always, your links are exceptional. I hope your future Mother Prioress will use you in the library, as your research skills are beyond compare!

I wanted to add one comment to this thread...yes, it is true that some dioceses do not accept hermits. It is also true that some dioceses do not allow Consecrated Virgins. If anyone is considering either one as a Vocation, please make sure your Bishop approves of the state of life and will support it.

Pax,
TradMom

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The Carmel of Port Tobacco has its novitiate in a cenobium, but the nuns themselves live in hermitages.

The Children of Mary in Ohio spend their nights in hermitages. The last two hours of their day are spent in prayer in the hermitage.

The Laudaterian Hermits of the Contemplative Heart of Mary are in SW Virginia.

And don't forget the Intercessors of the Lamb in NE.

That's all I've got on my list. Keep faith though, as there are lauras springing up all over the US at present.

Blessings,
Gemma

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[quote name='TradMom' post='1921431' date='Jul 16 2009, 01:31 AM']yes, it is true that some dioceses do not accept hermits. It is also true that some dioceses do not allow Consecrated Virgins. If anyone is considering either one as a Vocation, please make sure your Bishop approves of the state of life and will support it.[/quote]

The vocation of the hermit is not an easy one, and needs to be discerned over a long period of time. It's out of simple prudence and responsibility that bishops do not take it in lightly.

BUT I would say that what is important is that the vocation is REAL, and TRUE. If so, It's most probably that it will eventually be recognized by the Church. Actually the long struggle to have this happen is part of the long "noviciate" of the hermit.

It is more important to live the life of a hermit if it is one's vocation than it is to have it recognized by the Church authority.

This is my experience as a hermit, and God has proved to be excidingly faithful and supportive when the bishop was not ... and now it is the bishop who has changed his mind and become supportive.

Peace!

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InHisLove726

[quote name='Saint Therese' post='1923342' date='Jul 18 2009, 01:14 AM']I've [i]never[/i] considered it.[/quote]

Neither have I. I have always felt I wanted to be in a community.

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the lords sheep

I think it's a beautiful vocation, but I know it's not mine. I wonder if diocesan vocations directors could offer you any assistance?

God bless you!

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I like St. Benedict's assumption (not that I am biased or anything), that a hermit is one who leaves a community after a long period of testing in a community and is therefore fully armed for the battles that he will face. After all, when you are alone with God you are also alone with yourself, and that can be a scarier prospect than you might think. "Single combat" with the world, the flesh, and the devil is not to be taken up lightly.

A certain Grimlaicus wrote a "Rule for Solitaries", which I wrote about in this forum [url="http://http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=85294&mode=threaded&pid=1664284"]here[/url]. The link to the actual rule is [url="http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/athornto/grimlaicusweb.htm"]this one[/url]

I hasve taken that page, reformatted it a bit in InDesign, and imported made it a PDF file. if anyone wants it, PM me with an email address to send it to!

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My two cents: Reparatrix Anchoresses of Our Lady of the Cloister (Cloisterite Hermits):

Spirituality is Carthusian, lived in one's own home. We plan to have a "Convergance" once a year. We are also amassing an aspirant list (several are on it presently) for when we have permission to start a new class. We have five at present.

[url="http://cloisters.tripod.com/cloisterites/"]http://cloisters.tripod.com/cloisterites/[/url]
Blog: [url="http://reparatrixanchoresses.blogspot.com/"]http://reparatrixanchoresses.blogspot.com/[/url]

I will get things updated as time allows here.

We are a private association of the faithful with the intention of becoming an institute of religious life, under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Charlotte, NC.

Blessings,
Gemma

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[quote name='Staretz' post='1923779' date='Jul 18 2009, 02:56 PM']I like St. Benedict's assumption (not that I am biased or anything), that a hermit is one who leaves a community after a long period of testing in a community and is therefore fully armed for the battles that he will face. After all, when you are alone with God you are also alone with yourself, and that can be a scarier prospect than you might think. "Single combat" with the world, the flesh, and the devil is not to be taken up lightly.

A certain Grimlaicus wrote a "Rule for Solitaries", which I wrote about in this forum [url="http://http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=85294&mode=threaded&pid=1664284"]here[/url]. The link to the actual rule is [url="http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/athornto/grimlaicusweb.htm"]this one[/url]

I hasve taken that page, reformatted it a bit in InDesign, and imported made it a PDF file. if anyone wants it, PM me with an email address to send it to![/quote]

Our dear Startz, both links are broken. I have great interest in the Rule for Solitaries.

Blessings,
Gemma

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