What are some job ideas for hermits?

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I believe i’m being called to religious life as a hermit and was wondering what sort of jobs would be appropriate for the role. I currently work for the hospital picking up garbage and cigarette butts and that doesn’t involve any contact but it’s only a part time position. I thought about busking with a hymnbook as a ministry to supplement my income. Here’s a recording i made
tell me what you think.
 
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Hermits live lives of seclusion.

Busking involves being around people.

Do you have a spiritual director? He might be able to give you a more realistic view of what you feel called to do.
 
I emailed my local parish priest about some of the ideas i’ve been having. Maybe I could market my music online seeking donations. That wouldn’t involve any contact. I feel like it’s very difficult to make a living and not be around people. Also it would look strange to see someone wearing a habit picking up garbage around the hospital. Hmm I still have a long way to go to figure this out. I will pray that God will guide me to what I’m meant to do with my life.
 
Start with eight singing lessons. This will help you keep your vowel pure, which seems to be an issue for you. It will be great fun! Sounds good in general but singing lessons can take it up a notch.
 
What about jobs that are 100% work from home deals, like medical transcribing? It doesn’t pay a lot (most places in the US I remember seeking that it makes less than 40k a year. But if you are living in a tiny secluded place by yourself with no tv, internet, etc and only a few books and prayer supplements, then you could easily live on an income like that and would never have to encounter people directly again lol. Though the internet would be good (if you could handle not being distracted by it) to use it to order groceries to your place (in the event you aren’t going to grow your own food). Most hermits survive on alms.
 
I see you posted in a closed thread something about a shed on the parish property. That hearkens back to the days of the anchorites who lived in anchorages attached to churches. I would advise doing more research. Closer to our times, one lay contemplative who has a chronic medical condition said she and her spiritual director nearly had an anchorage built onto their church.

I asked our pastor in Knoxville if I could do the same. He said he’d love to have that, but feared for me due to the neighborhood.

There is a book about the hermits and anchorites of England. I’m wanting to say it’s online. There’s also “Nazarena: An American Anchoress”. Technically, she was a recluse permitted to live with the Camaldolese nuns in Rome. “The Hermitage Within” by A Monk is also highly suggested.

The Rule of St. Columba is usually a good starting point.

If you do wish to become a canonical eremite, you’ll need to write your own plan of life, and discern whether you’re called to witness with a habit. One eremite told me that they were advised to wear an experimental habit one day a week, with no external contact, and all windows with shades pulled. Daily Duty was done while wearing the experimental habit. Emergency situations would be a judgement call.

Not everyone has gone through that, though. It was one particular eremite’s experience.

You’ll need to determine your spirituality. As I said, research the history of hermits in the church, and see what attracts you.

As far as jobs are concerned, let it come to you. Since you’ve not lived the way of life for a decade, you’ve got plenty of time to see if the Holy Spirit starts filling in blanks. Go from what you know to what you don’t know: times for rising and retiring; Mass; Liturgy of the Hours; recreation; remunerative work; meals; Lectio Divina; other devotions, etc.

Blessings,
Cloisters
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
 
I am 28. Hoping my age and maturity will effect whether I would be good fit.
 
I live basically as a “secular hermit”. Work “in the world” but do not “belong” in it. I am not social outside of work. I “get enough” of people while at my job. I work an “essential” job, but live rural. The nature of my work allows fairly minimal contact with others except for greetings in passing. I will not ignore or be rude to others, but I won’t be chatty beyond necessary communication for the work. Keeps everything “business” and out if the “social” area. That is my “labora”. I take care of my animals, see to their needs, and improve our quality of life. This time allows for contemplation. This is part of my “service”. Attending mass weekly, with extra “ora” added whenever I like.
Work, home work, sleep, and store trips when needed.
You can be a hermit in several ways.
No habit needed, that will draw attention you would rather avoid. You could wear plain clothing. This is what I do. One color, no writing, and brand logos blacked out.
A bit funny to me: because of my “style of dress”, (or lack of) I was mistaken for a priest TWICE in one day. Such is life. I have been dressing this way since 1991.
Dominus vobiscum
“Secular Franciscans” might be something you can look into. They live in the world, but also have hermits as members. They do wear a habit to witness, but not all.
Linky: https://secularfranciscansusa.org/
Wiki article here: Secular Franciscan Order - Wikipedia
 
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Do you have a spiritual director?
I recommend getting a spiritual director and talking this over with him.
 
In your off time, you might try delving into Discalced Carmelite spirituality, which stresses the interior life. Start with “Story of a Soul” – the autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Read the John Clarke translation.

“Story of a Soul” changed my life.
 
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