A Letter from Brother Richard Withers

The hermit life we aim to live is at its root very ancient, yet we are trying to live it in our times with all its limitations and challenges. The following from our mission statement might give a clearer idea about what we are trying to do:

The origins of the hermit life in the Catholic Church began in 270 A.D. when St. Anthony of Egypt started his quest for purity of heart and became the father of the hermit movement in the Church. He did not found any monasteries per se, but established a way of life in which one sought God in solitude and unceasing prayer. He not only founded the life of strict solitude (hermits that lived totally alone in the wilderness), but also “lauras,” where hermits would live closer together in clusters and gather for Saturday Vigils and Sunday Mass. This is the origin of monastic life in the Church.

To this end a great deal of effort has been spent in trying to locate a place to establish ourselves. Through Providence we have located a site near the city of Coatesville in Chester County. It is in a poor area within walking distance of the city. Yet it has a surprising degree of silence, solitude and natural beauty. The owner of the land has agreed to sell it to us for the same amount she paid for it, $40,000. We have signed a sales agreement which terminates on March 12th of this year. Having secured $10,000 from a donor thus far, we are still lacking $30,000.

We would not be eligible for a mortgage or loan, nor do we want to go that route. Debt is the enemy of the contemplative life, especially for a small group of hermits. So we have to depend on the generosity of others, and that is where your efforts come in.

Truly yours in Christ.
Br. Richard

The Cardinal consecrated Richard
as an official hermit in 2001.

Make checks payable to the Hermitage of St. Joseph
(which has tax exempt status) and send to Br. Richard Withers
2508 Alder Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133

return to 10/02 CPF Newsletter