Comments on: Interview with a Hermit – on being a hermit

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:21:15 +0000

It’s difficult to say what lifestyle you are called to Lee Lim. But if your time of solitude was helpful to you personally and also helped you in your relationship with God and others then you have learned something very important about yourself and the need to take time away (whatever that means to you) to deal with stuff. We all need that every so often. If the life of monks or hermits or priests attracts you, then I encourage you to learn more about those different lifestyles to see if there is an additional calling in this experience for you. Blessings, Lee Lim.

By: Lee Lim

Lee Lim — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:43:14 +0000

Ive tried living isolated like a hermit but Im not a monk. Because of a struggle I found myself living alone and I was blessed and accomplished so much during that solitude. Am I called to be amonk,hermit or a priest?

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:07:41 +0000

It seems that many people (young and mature, Protestant and Catholic) are having problems with the faith they were raised in. Their reasons are many. And this can cause a lot of problems within the the families. I have noticed that some family members are tempted to be more embarassed by what others think about this situation than trying to help their loved one find their place in God’s plan. So what I have advised families with this worry is … don’t worry. God loved your son two thousand years ago so much that He sent His own Son to die for your child. The reality of God and God’s love is manifested in your daily life. As you walk closer to Jesus, your son can’t help but see what Jesus means to you and no athestic argument can stand the test of a Godly parent. I told one parent whose adult child was angry with God that the child actually had great faith. But his faith was like a tee shirt that the son had put on inside out and backward. It rubbed, chaffed and itched, but he still had a tee shirt. Eventually God and the son would get it on correctly — right side out and front side front. God bless you both.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:29:23 +0000

Hi Mona,
Not sure if this issue is one that is still troubling you, as I notice this post is from some time ago, but if it is the first thing that comes into my head is Mass. Perhaps have Masses said for him – lots of them! This can do so much good.

I knew a young man who tried to kill himself. He was caught and taken to a facility, but he kept insisting if he left he would still kill himself (although to the psychologists he said otherwise.) My first thought was prayer and Mass.

Because it was an emergency, I knew contacting a local Church would not work – they have waiting lists that are far too long. Instead I called a nearby monastery and asked the priest to say a Mass, which he did the very next day. I also asked two congregations of nuns to pray him (I did not know one of the congregations, but figured it could not hurt to ask them. They were even out of state, but when I called were willing to pray.)

With all of these prayers, and the prayers of those in his family, etc., he began to say he wanted to get better and live. Thank God he is still alive today.

Prayer and Mass are both so powerful. And sometimes it can take time – maybe years. Saint Monica prayed for many years in regards to her desired conversion for her son, who is now known as SAINT Augustine

Enlist some spiritual aid, persevere as long as needed, and God will answer. There is a parable in the Bible of the woman who knocked at the door of a home, but the man would not answer. But she knocked so long and persistently that he finally got up simply because she would not let up.

By: Jonas B.

Jonas B. — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:26:39 +0000

There are many ways to live a life as a hermit, and just as many reasons. Regardless, the important thing to remember is to do no harm — not to yourself or to anyone else. Living a life as a hermit can and unfortunately often is an act of narcissism masked within the guise of religion or faith. On-the-other-hand, it can be a life of giving, but in ways not often seen as positive for the world. I am reminded of the Biblical text that says, You are in this world but not off this world. Followed in its strictist sense means that all those who choose to believe with Jesus are to one degree or another hemits. For we cannot live in this world and be part of this world and simultaneously remain true to the teachings of Jesus.

As for the women whose son became an aetheist. I would simply say to let it alone. Neither feel sorry nor mourn or in any way try to intervene. Let He who is wiser than you or me or Sister Laurel or any other living person work things out as He sees fit. Never preach; never be angry; never be impatient; and above all never judge. Simply let it be. Let your faith and your love be your gift to your son. You can not know what is truly in his heart. I have known aetheists who were greater followers of Jesus than many who profess to be. Cast no stone; say nothing; simply give your son all your love.

Jonas