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Kamalayka
Guest
How would a hermit receive the Eucharist, or any Sacrament, if he lived in isolation?
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Cluny
Guest
In the case of Frs. Zossima and Basilisk (two hermits of Siberia in Imperial Russia), they either visited a church a few times a year, or a priest came to see them.
A priest hermit-monk may celebrate alone, as long as he understands this is not for his own private devotion, but “in behalf of all and for all,” as the prayer in the Byzantine liturgy puts it.
It’s not unheard of in the Orthodox tradition (or, for that matter among Cistercians) for a monk with permission of his superior to live as a recluse within the community. Fr. Mary Louis (Thomas Merton) is an example.
St. Seraphim of Sarov also lived as a hermit for a while.
But hermits are VERY MUCH the exception. Only a few experienced monks are blessed to adopt this life.
A priest hermit-monk may celebrate alone, as long as he understands this is not for his own private devotion, but “in behalf of all and for all,” as the prayer in the Byzantine liturgy puts it.
It’s not unheard of in the Orthodox tradition (or, for that matter among Cistercians) for a monk with permission of his superior to live as a recluse within the community. Fr. Mary Louis (Thomas Merton) is an example.
St. Seraphim of Sarov also lived as a hermit for a while.
But hermits are VERY MUCH the exception. Only a few experienced monks are blessed to adopt this life.
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puzzleannie
Guest
he would not be a hermit in the first place without permission of his bishop, who woul have placed him under spiritual direction, including connection with a priest, monastery or parish for regular Mass and sacraments. my brother is a professed hermit, lay, with a connection to the religous order that staffs his parish, and the bishop has guided him in this, he receives spiritual direction from a priest of the order, and participates in parish liturgy regularly, or more often assists retired priests of the order in their private masses as he lives close to their residence. I know two other hermits who reside on the grounds, although in remote areas, of a local retreat center, and participate in Mass with the priests there. It is more accurate to say most hermits live in solitude, not isolation.
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CripesAlmighty
Guest
You may want to ask Herman.
Cloisters
Well-known member
Very individualized circumstances. Their bishop will likely insist on Sunday communion, if they are not able to make it on a daily basis. Each hermit is their own charism, and they write their own horarium according to their situation, and they usually make it a point to be in a position to receive daily, at least the ones I’ve known.
HTH.
Blessings,
Cloisters
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SRLAUREL
Guest
Peter Giustiniani (Camaldolese) once concluded (16th Century) that hermits who could not get to Mass or receive the Sacraments regularly once the Church began stressing this need were illegitimate. He esteemed this vocation, but his point was a good one. Today we have diocesan hermits professed in the hands of their Bishops and who live according to a Rule of Life they have written on the basis of their own lived experience. Part of that Rule is the provision for the reception of Sacraments and for participation in the regular life of parish and diocese.
Ordinarily, if the hermit is not a priest, the Bishop gives permission for the reservation of Eucharist in the hermitage. Thus, the hermit picks up what she needs for the time between Masses when she is at Church. An alternative is to have a priest come to the hermitage occasionally and say Mass — though one can still reserve Eucharist between visits if the Bishop permits.
By the way, an indiviidual hermit is NOT their own charism; diocesan hermits participate in the charism diocesan eremitism is to the Church and world. They may embody or share in this differently than the hermit the next country (or town) over, but the charism belongs to the vocation, not to the individual.
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SRLAUREL
Guest
One thing I should also mention is that hermits — at least canonical hermits — do not live in isolation. They live ecclesial vocations in the silence of solitude. This is not the same as isolation though the degree of physical solitude is significant. Every hermit’s Rule requires the reception and provision for Sacraments, for relationships with diocese and parish communities, etc. Isolation is actually contrary to an authentic canonical eremitical life. So, when I describe the solitude of my life I may refer to the “silence of solitude” or eremitical solitude, or even physical solitude, but I never use the term isolation because my solitude is characterized by communion with self, God, and with the Church community.
best,
Sister Laurel O’Neal, Er Dio
best,
Sister Laurel O’Neal, Er Dio
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