my brother is a hermit, under spiritual direction and obedient to the head of a religious order. He found out when he investigated that one may not go off and become a hermit of his own volition. Since he is a layman and not a member of a religious order there are not vows, only promises. He was under spiritual direction for 5 years before he was able to be an “official hermit”. His profession (not consecration) was made in the presence of his parish priest, delegated by the bishop for that purpose, because he could not make profession without the bishop’s permission. Part of the delay was also waiting for the religious order (based in another country) to be officially recognized by the diocese.
He is also a secular Franciscan because he is a member of a Franciscan parish, and has been advised to maintain this connnection. he does live in a home in the country, somewhat isolated from neighbors but attends daily Mass and is active in the parish, and also does contracting in his former profession to make enough to live on. When SS kicks in he will live a more retired lifestyle, but only with permission of his director.
