How does a Canonical Hermit contribute to the life and mission of the Church?
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As you should know Hermits are people that live a lot on
their own. We say a person is a hermit if they seem to be isolated, or don't want company. That is not what a Canonical Hermit is about.A canonical Hermit is a person who believes that God is calling him/her to a life of prayer and solitude for the Church. To be canonical they need the approval of their Bishop and usually they work out they way of life with the Bishop before he gives approval. They need to do some work to support themselves.This is normally a ministry agreed upon with the Bishop. They agree to live in this style for a certain period of time, which can then be
extended.Some religious people who have lived in an active or contemplative community may also feel called to life as a hermit.They usually work this out with their superior and while they are hermits, they are not classed as canonical hermits. The way of life of canonical hermits usually involves quite extensive prayer periods, living very simply in often away form most people to allow them the silence that is needed. They live in obedience to the Bishop.
The ministries they carry out in the active field are usually just enough to earn enough money to live on.The main ministry is one of prayer.Such prayer is like a power house that keep all the active people who don't spend as much time in prayer, graced. Hermitical prayer is always for others. They have the time to enter more deeply into the mystery of God.They also remind the rest of us that God is important and that the mystery of God is just that MYSTERY!!! Prayer is at the heart of being Christian so real hermits are at the heart of the Church. People need to feel the call to respond to such a vocation.The Bishop needs to be careful that he endorses only those who can show by their lives prior to seeking canonical status that this is truly a call from God. Many of the saints felt a call to be hermits for certain periods in their life.
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