I am interested in learning about the process of becoming a consecrated hermit. Does this vary from diocese to diocese? I understand that the Private Vows are made to a diocesan bishop, but how is the formation process handled, and who does one apply to in order to start the vocation? Thanks for any info.

In the case of the hermit I know of: talk to you Bishop.

I don't know the answer, I'm sorry. But I do know that many say you cannot be a good hermit unless you have lived well in community life as a religious first

I hope you find a good answer about formation

You might find the following information useful, from the Diocese of lacrosse:
http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/ministry_...atedvirgins.htm

I'd love to hear what you do indeed find out about the process of becoming a consecrated hermit!

I've read about some hermits, and although they are similar, they are also pretty different too - so I find it interesting to think about.

House of Solitude and House of Hermits

Ravensbread newsletter for hermits

and I like this Rule
Aelred of Rievaulx's Rule for a Solitary

The Diocese of La Crosse has five consecrated hermits, four women and one man
http://www.culturalcatholic.com/hermitnun.htm

I think it is a very interesting idea, and one that I can see myself doing at some time, but serving a period of formation within an established order also makes sense to me.....

Does anyone else have information about hermits?

Moving this to the Vocation Station where someone might know an answer.

I'm not sure the vows are considered "private," at least not canonically speaking.

I think that by their very nature, vows made to one's Ordinary qua Ordinary are Public in canon law.

Now here's a different story about a vocation to the desert that took 11 years to find - Nazarena - An American Anchoress

But regarding becoming a consecrated hermit and formation, I would definitely contact Mary Kathyrn - not our MK on phatmass. This is another one.

Here is her site/blog - http://hermitsskeet.motime.com/ She is a diocescan consecrated hermit. I highly recommend asking her about this. A year or so ago I was asking her about this, and she had such useful information. I wasn't thinking of becoming a consecrated hermit, but asked about the eremitical life, and orders, etc. She had a lot of good recommendations. I'm not sure which diocese she's in - somewhere in the Midwest.

But yes, I have heard many times what Lauren was saying about how usually hermits have first been through religious life with formation and everything. About 4 years or so ago, when I was first looking into eremitical life, I called Fr. Romano, founder of the Hermits of Bethlehem of the Heart of Jesus in Chester, NJ. I was 20 then. He told me most of those in his order (not really order, but group of diocesan hermits) had been vowed religious for many years - but he was very nice - He recommended the Sisters of Bethlehem for me, as they are pretty eremitical and have a novitiate, as they are a religious order.

But each call of course is unique. I recommend talking with Mary Kathyrn and/or Fr. Romano, too. Mary Kathryn was telling me something about how the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ( http://www.solt3.org/types.htm ) has a consecrated hermit program or something .. I almost forget about this. That's the order Fr. Corapi is in. So you could ask her about that. :j

Oh, and if you're looking for Fr. Corapi on the SOLT website, he is listed under 'hermits' and not 'priests' - but to find the right link with his small picture, first go to 'vocations' then to 'hermits' in the light grey letters. :j

This looks like a great community, the SOLT. I love the image they have of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

I really wondered why it was so hard to find Fr. Corapi on there, but maybe it is to not try to make a celebrity out of him or something for their order (or community/society/congregation). He does have his own site anyway. But yeah, it looks like a great community. :j