By Sr. Eileen Lang, FSPA
Special to the Catholic Herald

Hermits: Serving with solitude, prayer, penance

SUPERIOR --Pope John Paul II declared Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, as World Day for Consecrated Life. Many of us are familiar with the term religious life, but maybe are not quite so sure about the meaning of consecrated life.

Those persons in religious life profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, live in community and share a common mission or apostolate. While prayer is an essential apsect of their lives, members of apostolic institutes are actively involved in the works of the church. In the past, education, health care and the needs of the poor were their major areas of service. Today men and women religious serve the church and civic communities in a wide variety of ministries.

Contemplative communities are another form of religious life. For these men and women, their day is spent in a rhythm of prayer, manual labor or study apart from the activities of the world. Their prayers and sacrifices are offered on behalf of the needs of the church and world.

The term consecrated life is a broader term which encompasses people who choose to dedicate their lives to God and the church in a special way through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but not in the same sense as religious institutes. Examples include: secular third orders, societies of apostolic life, lay associations and hermits.

While they may be members of religious institutes, consecrated hermits dedicate their lives to God without necessarily joining a religious community. This vocation had its origins in the early church, but has been renewed by Pope John Paul II according to the 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law. Hermits publicly profess the evangelical counsels before the diocesan bishop, separate themselves from the world, and devote themselves to solitude, prayer and penance somewhat like the contemplative communities.

Sr. Kristine Haugen, ocdh, (Order of Carmel Discalced Hermit) and several other women from Carmelite monasteries were welcomed to the Diocese of Superior by Bishop George A. Hammes. They were established as Hermits of Mount Carmel on June 20, 1980. On July 20, 1995, Haugen took public perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, according to Canon 603 in Canon Law, and promised to live according to her individual rule and plan of life under the direction of Bishop Raphael M. Fliss.

Mt. Carmel Hermitage, Amery, consists of 82 acres of stillness and privacy in the midst of birch and pine groves, walking trails and scenic sites for meditation and reflection. There are five winterized cabins for people who wish to spend time alone, to seek solitude, silence and communion with God. In this prayerful setting, participants can truly say, "I have seen the face of Christ."

Haugen has found that she and others like her can gain silence within herself and inner communion with God in solitude. One can then go back into the world and deal with life in a more peaceful and calm manner. Solitude promotes the Christian challenge to live out the vision of the Gospel by finding its application in contemporary situations.

According to Haugen, living life as a hermit is definitely a lifestyle of growth and spiritual development. It is an ongoing life process for those who are called "to devote their life to the praise of God and the salvation of the world through a stricter separation from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance" (Canon 603). Daily prayer for happy and holy priests is a primary focus for her.

A constant challenge for Haugen, and all hermits, is the need to balance the call to prayer and solitude with the everyday necessity of earning a living. Although she lives very simply, she still needs to pay the bills, maintain health coverage and plan for retirement. Making vestments, caring for retreatants, selling her art work, along with generous donations from others provide a reasonable income for her. A few hermits are independently wealthy or are into their retirement years, which relieves the financial concerns.

Sr. Sharon Rae McCarthy, OSM, is a member of the Servants of Mary, Ladysmith, who took up the life of a hermit on July 1, 1996. As a member of a religious community, she is under the direct jurisdiction of her religious community rather than the local bishop. McCarthy spends half her time as librarian at the Servite Center for Life, and half in contemplative solitude. As a librarian, she assists those who come to the center to find books that are spiritual classics as well as new books on prayer, peace and justice, women and environmental issues.

McCarthy has completed a three year spiritual direction preparation program and serves as a spiritual companion. She joins the members of her religious community for Mass at the Servants of Mary Chapel each Tuesday and for Vespers and meals on special occasions.

Although McCarthy is supported financially by her religious community, her life of solitude is not looked upon as a life of isolation. McCarthy reflects that she is more tuned in to world and church events now than she ever was before. The issues in the daily news provide fuel for her prayer.

Haugen and McCarthy see their lives as a sign of the solitude and contemplation that are essential aspects of every person's life. Both knew in their hearts for a long time that they were called to live the life of a hermit and are grateful to all those who have made, and continue to make, their call to a life of prayerful presence a reality for them.

World Day for Consecrated Life celebrates the dedication and commitment of all those who continually strive to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel as they live the consecrated life according to their rule, constitutions or plan of life. This occasion is an encouragement that they continue to be strengthened in their ministry, and give witness to Christ by bringing daily bread to the hungry, comfort to the sick and support to the weary. In truth, the world can say, "For I have seen the face of Christ."

< Local Archives

© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003