Raven’s Bread Forum

The Russian hermit, St. Seraphim of Sarov said: “Be at peace yourself and thousands around you will be saved.” Peace is at the heart of the eremitic ethos. It is what gives the hermit vocation its uiversality and its power to transform. It restores original relations, the original grace at the heart of all humanity. The hermit of the future bears the burden of recovering the peace which has been lost since humanity first refused to accept that liberty has limitations.

By initiating a dialogue with the universe deep within him or herself, the hermit hopes to promote a sense of human solidarity, a longing for unity and peace within the whole human family. No hermit is permitted, by the fact of his or her solitary way of life, to escape from the world. What she or he should stive for is not to avoid the world but rather to minister to it, encourage its development, its progress, and finally, its salvation. She or he understands the eremitic calling to be one of service rendered with unique empathy and compassion for the whole of creation.

(From: Consider the Ravens by Paul & Karen Fredette)

Reflection question: How can hermits do this within the parameters of their calling?

From Benefit, Advantage and Glory of Silent Meetings, 1670

… they became greatly endeared towards one another, in all pureness and tenderness of love, and finding the great benefit and advantage which they had in one another’s company, presence and fellowhsip, as of one being a strength to another, their life and spirit reaching unto them oft without all words, yea, in the silence or ceasing of all words they were drawn to meet often together, for that in the presence and company of one another they were inwardly refreshed, comforted, quickened and strengthened, through that communion and communication of the spirit and life of God, from vessel to vessel, as from one upon all, and from all upon one, and this is that communion of saints which is a mystery forever …

(Whew! A long sentence but with much to ponder…)

It has been ten years since Raven’s Bread Ministries last surveyed hermits through its newsletter. Now, in partnership with PhD student, Brian Campbell (Emory University), we are again conduting a survey. This time, we are pleased to have the survey available online.  Please visit www.dwellingalone.org where you can link to the survey and find out more about Brian’s research on solitude. A heartfelt “God be with you!” to all of you who will take part in this important review of the development of eremitical life!   Results will be posted in future issues of Raven’s Bread as well as on this blog.