Posted by Bishop David Ricken on 17th Oct 2008

In Praise of Hiddeness: The Spirituality of the Camaldolese Hermits of Monte Corona brings to light this time period. It saw hermits, solitaries and anchoresses dotting the landscape of Italy, France, England, Scandinavia and the Low countries, and monastic centers drawing the best and brightest of the youth of Europe into the cloister.
The book speaks of the paradox of the life of solitude, so hidden and yet so fruitful for the life of the Church and the whole human community, the life of intimacy with God which is its meaning and its heart, and the expectation of Eternal Life.
Hermits are not monks, in the usual sense: They do not live in community, but in total solitude; there is no cloister to speak of, but only the cells of the individual hermits. The heart of the cell is the solitary altar where the hermit celebrates Mass and has communion with his maker.