Saints' Discussion Forums

I've been reading about Catholic hermits, some of whom are officially consecrated under a bishop (Canon 603). Does anyone here know anything about them, or at least any good resources on the topic?

Also, I think I may have a vocation to this state of life, but how do I discern such a thing?

Sorry to be so vague, but I don't know enough at this point to formulate more detailed questions.

Why not contact the pastor of the parish where you live?

For what it's worth, I think to know whether a life is your calling or not you best had simply be practical about it. How would I do in these conditions? Would I improve spiritually? Or would I not? Can I live this life and bear its hardships and benefits?

You know your virtues and weaknesses enough to discern to some degree. Of course nothing is wrong with simply trying it and testing it out.

It may be a hard life, you may struggle a lot, but it's what you need. It's a life where you grow in virtue and where your flaws are compensated sufficiently for so as not to cripple you.

There're some books on Vocations on Saints' Books. And I think the Desert Fathers are always especially good reading for living a solitary life.

People come into their callings in life in different ways with different feelings..

I know someone can become too solitary too soon, because you do need spiritual guidance and help in some amount.  :D

'You will note that the Lord establishes as the prime good contemplation, that is the gaze turned in the direction of the things of God. Hence we say that the other virtues, however useful and good we may say they are, must nevertheless be put on a secondary level, since they are all practiced for the sake of this one. "You are full of worry and are upset over many things when actually it should be over a few or even one." In saying this the Lord locates the primary good not in activity, however praiseworthy, however abundantly fruitful, but in the truly simple and unified contemplation of Himself.'

St. John Cassian

Thanks, I looked at the books on vocations. I was surprised to learn that we should require more evidence for a call to a secular life than for a call to a consecrated life of some kind.

Yet another thing modern Catholics get wrong. Why am I not surprised about that?

It surprised me too I remember, happily! Everything is the happy opposite of the world! :D

Are there hermits that aren't officially consecrated under a bishop?  Are there traditional Catholic hermits?   This always interests me too.   :planter: