Eremitic Legion of St. Michael the Archangel

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And in what cenobium (community) did you get your preparation to begin the eremitical life, brother?

The monastic fathers of East and West make it clear that one should NOT attempt eremitical life without being trained and tested in the community.

Otherwise, it’s a short step to prelest (spiritual delusion).
 
He is taking the path of canon 603 in the Roman church. We are trying to find a hermit who can give him the hermit training, and get him into the formal process. He will likely have to have a few months in a monastery, also.

Aspiring hermits in our church are encouraged to write their own plan of life, and wear the habit one day a week indoors without outside contact (email and phone are exceptions) for a year, then talk to their bishop about becoming a hermit.

In this case, since he does desire to eventually have a laura, we have posted his link to see if there is any interest. If there isn’t, there is no need to respond. If there is, we have a yahoo group for just such a purpose. In our church, the group incorporates as non-profit, then they will live the rule together for a period of time untl they get their “working constitutions.” When the “Seven Pillars” of New Foundations (rule, constitutions, horarium, formation program/novitiate, remunerative work, stable source of habit parts, and four persevering members) are completed, then the group approaches the bishop.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Cloisters said:
He is taking the path of canon 603 in the Roman church. We are trying to find a hermit who can give him the hermit training, and get him into the formal process. He will likely have to have a few months in a monastery, also.

Aspiring hermits in our church are encouraged to write their own plan of life, and wear the habit one day a week indoors without outside contact (email and phone are exceptions) for a year, then talk to their bishop about becoming a hermit.

In this case, since he does desire to eventually have a laura, we have posted his link to see if there is any interest. If there isn’t, there is no need to respond. If there is, we have a yahoo group for just such a purpose. In our church, the group incorporates as non-profit, then they will live the rule together for a period of time untl they get their “working constitutions.” When the “Seven Pillars” of New Foundations (rule, constitutions, horarium, formation program/novitiate, remunerative work, stable source of habit parts, and four persevering members) are completed, then the group approaches the bishop.

Blessings,
Cloisters
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A reminder that Canon 603 is not to be used to found communities, nor it is meant for persons who so intend down the line. It is used for HERMITS ( that is, not simply isolated individuals) who are professed as solitary hermits. Canon 603 hermit may come together in a Laura, but they retain their own Rules of Life (modified as necessary to allow the Laura to function) and remain other than a canonical community.

Regarding Bp Basil’s questions, which are good. Diocesan hermits ordinarily have received formation in community. It is not strictly required, but for those who have not long life experience must take the place. Further, association with a monastery, requirements for periods lived there under supervision while in formarion, etc are often required. This is oe of the reasons Canon 603 is not used often and why the road to profession is so long (for some two decades or more).
 
He has contacted his archdiocese, and he has two hermit-mentors. One is working closely with him and his archdiocese to make sure he does the right thing.

Blessings,
Gemma
 
does your bishop knows this? Obedience to the Local Ordinary is very important. I think you cannot build your own community without consulting the Local Ordinary, lest evrything will become child’s play (make believe hermits). that’s my opinion.

PS: I clicked on the links you provided and it seems that there is still no Bishop’s permission or anything.
 
Cloisters said:
He is taking the path of canon 603 in the Roman church. We are trying to find a hermit who can give him the hermit training, and get him into the formal process. He will likely have to have a few months in a monastery, also.

Aspiring hermits in our church are encouraged to write their own plan of life, and wear the habit one day a week indoors without outside contact (email and phone are exceptions) for a year, then talk to their bishop about becoming a hermit.

In this case, since he does desire to eventually have a laura, we have posted his link to see if there is any interest. If there isn’t, there is no need to respond. If there is, we have a yahoo group for just such a purpose. In our church, the group incorporates as non-profit, then they will live the rule together for a period of time untl they get their “working constitutions.” When the “Seven Pillars” of New Foundations (rule, constitutions, horarium, formation program/novitiate, remunerative work, stable source of habit parts, and four persevering members) are completed, then the group approaches the bishop.

Blessings,
Cloisters
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I would love to know where you get the supposed information in this post Gemma. For instance, the wearing of habits require the permision of the local ordinary. They are a symbol of public vows, and a public vocation and ordinarily Bishops do not allow hermits to wear habits until they have made public vows. When exceptions are made this still requires the Bishop’s permission. Wherever you are getting this requirement to “remain in solitude for a year and wear the habit one day a week” (paraphrase) before approaching the Bishop, it is not from Canon law nor from your Ordinary. Where does this supposed policy come from? It is certainly not the way things are ordinarily done according to Canon 603.

In the Roman Catholic Church consecrated (Canon 603, diocesan) hermits are not merely encouraged to write their own Plans or Rules of Life, they are required to do so and this is okayed not only canonically but accepted by the Bishop who publishes a “Decree of Approval”. In fact, this decree also is published on the event of public profession.

As for your “seven pillars”, apart from an unusual emphasis on externals, since communities (or solitary hermits) do not need to wear habits (and may in fact not be allowed to do so), and since the Bishop must giver permission for anyone in his diocese wishing to do so, it is a bit strange to suggest that a stable source of habit parts is so central to the life. It is also not the case that one therefore waits to approach a Bishop until all these things are in place. Again, what is your source for this information? It does not correspond to any of the Canons in the 1983 Code of Canon Law on new foundations, or Canon 603.

Finally, again, Canon 603 is NOT used for new foundations. It is specifically directed to those who have vocations to SOLITARY eremitical lives. They MAY come together in lauras but these are, according to canonists commenting on Canon 603 NOT communities per se, and therefore the hermits retain their OWN Rules (which may be modified to allow the Laura to function). Either your putative hermit is becoming a Canon 603 hermit OR he is looking to fulfill the needs you list for foundations (assuming these are canonical), but not both.
 
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