The re-building of the hermitage was substantially completed mid-December 2024. Our abbot Dom Vincent and a substantial cohort of the community came out on Gaudete Sunday to bless the hermitage and the hermit, placing both under the care of Santa Maria del Silenzio. Fr. Vincent noted that the hermitage shares in the monastery’s mission as a “monastic institute wholly dedicated to contemplation”. Likewise, the hermitage in particular makes present the life of Nazareth in its silence, hiddenness and ordinariness.
The Vigil Mass of Christmas 2024 resumed the Liturgy at the hermitage and was offered in thanksgiving for the generosity of all of you who supported this endeavor in every and any way. The everyday life of the hermitage was resumed on the feast of the Holy Family and continues uninterrupted for 11 months now.
In our previous photo we showed the building stripped down to the rough-cut studs that formed the frame of the building. The framing of the original hermitage was entirely of white pine from the abbey forest, which was milled locally and built by Fr. Edward and Br. Peter. While we saved the framing, the hermitage now has a new roof, new windows, an electrical and plumbing upgrade, plus new insulation, siding, dry wall and flooring. Happily we were able to save Fr. Edward’s original rough cut pine altar.
The interior is a combination of original pine paneling, with some replacement pine. The larger room is the “Work of God” space for prayer, meditation, Mass, lectio divina, reading and also houses the wood-burning stove. The smaller room has the sleeping space and a kitchenette space. Additionally there is a compact bathroom with sink, toilet and shower. It’s adequate, minimalist and everything a hermit needs for a life of prayer, outdoor manual labor, and not too much extra.
Thank you for your generosity with your gifts of prayer, labor, materials, supplies, money and your belief in our community’s mission of prayer. Always be assured you are included in our daily prayer and Holy Mass.
A blessed Advent to all.
Fr Isaac
P.S. God willing, I hope to get back to you next year with an update on life in the hermitage.
