Consecration of Canonical Hermits: Hidden with Christ in God
Tonight’s ceremony invites us to explore a tradition within the Church that is often not well known and not well understood – the tradition of the hermit.
Hermits can be found in the Church from its earliest days and have antecedents in the Scriptures, the prophet Elijah and St John the Baptist spring to mind.
In the early centuries the life of the hermit was brought to the attention of many in the Church by St Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, who wrote an account of the life of Antony of Egypt. This book not only described the life of a hermit, but brought out the fact that while being a life of solitude, the hermit engages in a spiritual battle. It is not just a withdrawal from human society to pursue personal holiness, it is to engage with the cosmic struggle for the redemption of the human race. Indeed, a hermit lives to advance the mission of the Church in the world, albeit chiefly at the spiritual level.
In the fourth century there was a significant spiritual movement, one could say a surprising stream of grace, whereby groups of hermits withdrew to the desert regions south of Alexandria. These hermits lived solitary lives, but were linked with their fellow hermits in places like Nitria, Kellia and Scetis. Their life focussed around prayer, inspired by the words of St Paul to pray constantly. (1 Thess 5:17) They were vegetarian and nurtured small gardens to sustain themselves. Often, they would make mats or pottery to sell at markets to have some small income.
The vocation to be a hermit continued as a calling to individuals over the centuries. It found expression in a variety of ways. For example, in the eleventh century, two orders of hermits were formed: the Carthusians and Camaldolese. In these orders the monks lived solitary lives though within a monastic enclosure.
Over the centuries some individuals living the Benedictine or Franciscan or Carmelite spirituality felt drawn to retire to a more solitary life. The call to what is known as the eremitical life has always been in the Church, and is a sign of the spiritual depth of the Church. They are a blessing for the Church, especially the local church.
Thus, Canon Law, Canon 603, recognises the eremitical or anchoritic way of life. It states that such a way of life is a life devoted to the praise of God and the salvation of the world through, as it says, “a stricter withdrawal from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance”. It further states that the hermit (quote) “publicly professes in the hands of the bishop the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by vow or other sacred bond and observed a proper program of living under his direction”.
This is what is to take place this evening in this Mass.
We are within the Octave of Easter when we bask in the glory of the Resurrection. On this day the liturgy of the Church takes us to the evening of Easter Sunday and the appearance of the Lord to two disciples leaving Jerusalem still confused by all that had happened to Jesus. The story reveals many wonderful aspects to the Resurrection, not least the fact that the Risen Lord wants to reveal himself to the two dispirited disciples to reassure them.
It reminds us that the Risen Lord accompanies us, each of us as disciples, on our journey through life. He walks by our side, even if we fail to recognise him. He speaks to us, explains the mysteries to us, encourages and reassures us. He is truly our companion on the journey.
The life of a hermit reminds the Church of the importance of attention being given to the presence of the Lord with us, accompanying us. The hermit reminds us of the need to be attentive to the Lord. Such attention requires serious prayer, an inner spirit of silence, and an ability to embrace solitude, even within our busy and distracted lives.
We are reminded of the story of Martha and Mary in St Luke’s Gospel. Most of us readily identify with Martha and feel she has every right to expect Mary to help her with the household chores, rather than wasting time sitting with Jesus. The Lord corrects her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her”. (Luke 10:42)
We may find the Lord’s response a little unfair, because we are by nature doers. We tend to justify our lives by our output. Indeed, it is tempting to feel that a person who seeks a life of prayer, solitude and silence as opting out of their responsibilities.
However, we can be reminded that in the end only one thing is necessary, and that is the quality of our life in Christ. It is not what we do, but who we are that counts in the eyes of God.
In this Easter week we are invited to remember who we are as Christians. St Paul says in his Letter to the Colossians,
Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 1:1-2)
Drasko, Fr Chris, as you formally embrace the life of a canonical hermit I encourage you to take these words of St Paul to heart. Your life of prayer, solitude and silence is to ensure that you may direct your thoughts more easily to “heavenly things”. Your life as a hermit is hidden from the world, but not from God.
Your consecration tonight is the fruit of a long journey and years of faithful pursuit of a call that resonates deeply within you. As the Rite expresses, “May the Lord who has begun this good work in you bring it to fulfillment before the day of Christ Jesus”.
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Wednesday, 20 April 2022