Catholic Hermit: Refocus; New Spiritual Father

Met and shared, discussed, prayed, with new spiritual director, a hermit-priest, a couple days ago.

My late, dearest spiritual da, a priest of over 72 years in holy orders, passed over ten months ago.  However, the new spiritual father, the hermit-priest, also felt the spiritual da's presence and blessing upon our new relationship and venture into wherever and whatever His Real Presence guides and leads.

I've never been around anyone as deeply, genuinely, joyful as this hermit-priest. The Holy Spirit arranged all this--from the instantaneous response of the parish priest three or so weeks ago, saying he immediately had a spiritual director in mind for me, when I broached the subject and asked.

The new spiritual father and I discussed many things.  It was a meeting of not only minds but of spirits, and as temporal time will tell, of souls.  My, I'd love to be given that grace of spiritual joy that emanates from this hermit-priest!  But I have refocusing to do, and some effort in disentangling from temporal distractions.  

I did ask about my being a consecrated Catholic hermit, privately professed.  Went over the process of discernment 21 years ago, the formation by my late spiritual da as well as 11 months as proficient and novice with a now-defunct community of hermits (each in our own locale, but undergoing united formation as guided by a hermit who was overseen by a diocese vicar general and with advice from a Carthusian at Parkminster.

That briefly explained, I spoke of my profession of the three evangelical counsels and of the forming of additional vows, and the private ceremony at the altar in the convent chapel.  The ceremony, the service, was fashioned after one described in The Ancrene Riwle but modified, updated, and for a twenty-first century Catholic hermit, in keeping with what the Church today asks of her hermits [See §920, 921 in The Catechism of the Catholic Church.]

My specific question of the hermit-priest, the new spiritual director, was to clarify if he determined I should speak with the diocese bishop or needed to consider the 1983 CL603 for hermits who desire to be a diocesan hermit, of which the bishop receives the profession of the evangelical counsels and if desired, an additional personally written vow.  (I had asked this question of my parish priest a week ago, and have written his response in a previous blog post--which was essentially no, do not do that, it would hinder and complicate; his term was "shackle".  But that was his sense or take, and call the hermit-priest whose phone number I was given.)

The hermit-priest, after listening to what had been my privately professed counsels and vow, over 19 years ago, and the discernment and formation beginning nearly 21 years ago, surprised me with what he said.  Why would I want to interfere with how the Lord had blessed and was my vocation thus far--and repeated that he sees much movement now, and all being opened up for me.  He said "For you the CL603 and canonical approval would be baggage.  Drop the thought of that; it is heavy baggage."  Continue on.

We also discussed the historical and traditional path of hermits over the centuries.  He laughed with that spiritual joy, when we spoke of the centuries of hermit saints who were never approved by other than God Himself, but quietly lived their hidden lives in silence of solitude, praise of God and praying for souls and salvation of the world.  And he laughed again with the truth stated as to many of them canonized saints: "One can't do much better than that!"

I mentioned that I'd spent some time the day prior, as I do on occasion, perusing and reading about various hermits out there--Catholic privately professed and publicly professed, not professed, and hermits of other religions living and deceased.  He wondered why, and suggested not necessary--but I said I want to be, of course, right with the Church in whatever ways, and I am inspired by some I read about and also learn what I'd like to avoid in others.  Of the living hermits, we are all in process.

I mentioned yet another CL 603 hermit who I discovered (one with post-graduate degree but retired, divorced, a parent and grandparent of adult child and grandchildren, living a life hidden and prayerful).  Inspiring to me.   And there is the marvelous CL603 hermit in UK who had to relocate to be near medical facilities and downscale to an apartment, no longer rural but living her vocation admirably, all the same.  (No update, but she had been in the process to see if the bishop of her new diocese would accept her CL603 status.)

I then mentioned that in my desire to be right with whatever the Church wishes, that I also had experienced over 11 years of a CL603 hermit who has seemed irked by my being a consecrated Catholic hermit, privately professed, and has yet again recently written on blog post (as has been done off and on for several years) that I am a fraud, and now a new designation as "counterfeit hermit."  Yes, I want to be right with the Church, although I'd think the Church would state in the institutes and other writings, if only now publicly professed hermits are to be, and not state it as stated, and has been of her hermits for centuries.

Of this sharing of this situation, the hermit-priest said, "This is negative.  This  something you must stay away from, drop it.  The devil is involved; it's a distraction.  God is always greater than the devil."  He noted with me that God will bring those He wills to read what I write, regardless.  And again, emphasized that God has power over the devil. 

(To be clear, no names nor locale was mentioned regarding the person, and no one insinuating that the CL603 hermit was the devil; by no means--but that the devil is involved in that situation, and for me to never look back to it.  Stay clear.  Move forward.  God is guiding, leading, and much positive movement, opening up, for me. We had also discussed a CL603 hermit he knows, who has striven in the vocation but with a different desire, that of having others join; and while that diocese hermit's wish and dream has not transpired and will not due to advanced years, that is not for me, either.)  

There was no judgment yay or nay regarding CL603 hermits in general.  In fact, perhaps in another century or two, the Church will have decided by then that all hermits must be diocese hermits, with the profession of the three evangelical counsels publicly professed into the hands of a diocese bishop.  It does not mean CL603 is wrong or not advised for all those discerning hermit vocation; but it is not necessary unless the Lord desires and wills for the individual person, and perhaps for that person's needs and betterment, or by a holy need of a bishop and diocese.

The new spiritual director then shared with me his own process, which surprised him as he thought his bishop would have wanted or required more formal procedure in his becoming a hermit.  Rather, it was informal and simply a blessing, there and then--no more vows, no liturgy, no prayer.  A simple blessing by the Bishop, sign of the cross--the bishop and priest only; done.  More joyful laughter from the new spiritual father, as he again said the canonical is baggage for you.  Why pick up baggage?  "You have had your hermit vocation blessed by a priest years ago."

[And I want to add here, also, that not every priest would or should bless a hermit's vocation.  The eremitic life is one that needs to be discerned over time, a practice time period of the life entered into, even as I have done, a testing of the Spirit if uncertain.  I did share this with the hermit-priest, of my then bishop and spiritual director for a time, about a decade ago, eager to canonically approve me, but as with me, wanting something small, discreet, private in nature.  However, he got so involved and busy with his retirement fetes and activities, that he apologized that he did not have the time to do it!  The hermit-priest and I laughed at the irony, in many ways; and I said that a sense of relief came over me, and I felt literally "spared."]  

[The other time I had faced that dilemma of CL603, was when in the community of hermits, and the prioress saying it was time to approach my diocese; instead I discovered that she did not even have the statutes developed, and in the meantime I was shown that this prioress did not have herself on good footing; I removed myself due to the pride coming the surface and the lack of her "having the ducks in order."  In my speaking with her Vicar General, he, too, said it was a tenuous situation. Indeed, two years later I learned that she'd gone off the deep end, and what could have been a well-developed community of hermits and a good concept, was ended by her diocese, now two decades ago. ]

Well, enough on that. I have made myself clear.  My spiritual da of 24 years (other than the year of the late bishop!], and this new hermit-priest spiritual director, and my confessor on top of past confessors, also have made themselves clear.  In His alter Christus', the Lord has made Himself clear, as He has with me in several locutions and a couple visions:  I am a consecrated Catholic hermit as of the privately professed, traditional, historical hermits.  I am to not question nor be distracted by, nor entertain adding on or taking a sideways step of what is unnecessary for me, and not for my eremitic vocation in my life, or the life of the Church.

And what I have written, in the time spent with the new spiritual director, the hermit-priest, was actually quite brief.  Just seems that in my finale on the topic, it is as well to express fully, in completion, what is otherwise, stated and told for me:  shackles and baggage.  As to the person whose soul I do love and of course pray for, my pain will continue to pray 24/7 across the stratosphere, but I fare thee well and bid thee adieu.  Have been directed by confessor and now the new spiritual father, the hermit-priest, to stay clear, remove myself from the negative, let God deal with that person and situation.

What the hermit-priest discussed more and mostly, is the Divine Will, the Divine Presence, the Eucharist, the Mass, his purpose and mission in praying for priests, his meditations in Scripture and in also reading and pondering a book he told me about.  Written not long ago by an extant but anonymous Benedictine priest (somewhere in the United States), published in 2007, In Sinu Jesu, reflects the messages from Jesus and the Virgin Mary to this priest/monk during his time praying before the Tabernacle.  Now shared with anyone in the world who desires to read the book (available on Amazon and other sites), given an imprimatur, just this morning the new spiritual father sent me a text of a selection quoted from In Sinu Jesus, along with a portion of Psalm 44.

Yes, my new spiritual father is focusing me on what matters, and where I am to progress from where I've been.  He's been definite on what to turn away from; and the Lord certainly gave me added choices to make, one small and one large, in the past few days.  I am asked to make choices, to discern and decide upon one path over another, one by one as they can enter into our daily lives be we hermits, priests, lay persons in married or single vocations, adults or children.

My text to the spiritual father seemed so banal and temporal, yes, compared to the focusing he was doing.  Praying the Office of Reading this morning while struggling to manage an excruciating spinal headache, I realized my path of suffering and accepting pain--not complaining, mind you--is the correct choice in that regard.  Peace returned after the research the other day which I somehow felt I owed in making the choice and to share with Dr. H. that my path is the Lord Jesus Christ, that I will find Him in my pain, and that pain is not the enemy.  

Rather, I look forward to the gift of joy and of on-going peace within, and of (as I mentioned to the hermit-priest the other day) my desire to come to union with God, and if He wills in my life time, to help others desire, be inspired, and come to union with God as well.  I also desire to strive in the eremitic vocation to the hermit ideal, to a purity of hermit life--even though I have wandered and waffled about.  Yet the Lord always brings me back, strips me, hones me, cuts the chaff from the grain in temporal matters, relationships, choices, and now even in return to lectio divina and whatever writing.

As to the parting direction from the Spiritual Father, the hermit-priest, he said to remain fully open to, and to surrender fully to the Divine Will, for he senses much movement and great opening up for me, in what and how the Lord is leading me.  He said yes, he senses very much the writing is important for me to continue, and that it can be something beneficial even more so after my death. 

(Whether that will be the case, I'm sure will depend on my docility and surrender to His Real Presence and in what I write--inspired by the Trinity or drivel of waffling in the temporal. However, the hermit-priest said that writing honestly, including my pitfalls and flaws, and then the process of the Lord picking me up and my continuing on, no matter how many falls, is good to share.  My sense of it, though, from praying on it and noticing other signals God presents in temporal ways, is that a deep stilling of my mind, heart, and soul is needed.  Stay clear of distractions, the negative immediately and alway, the ones that I've gotten into habit of that help me distract from pain--wean from those as soon and feasibly can.)

Then, the finale of my meeting with the new spiritual director, the hermit-priest.  He emphasized to receive the peace that Christ has for me.  Yes!  Then came most beautiful, spiritual, joy-filled prayer uttered forth from the uplifting hermit-priest, so blessed and glorious in praise and thanksgiving!  God provides beyond what we mortals can possibly anticipate!

This morning's Psalm reading at Mass, from Psalm 56, contains Living Word that supports and sustains, sums the present moment in my nothingness to Christ's ALL.  The Lord does speak to us in Scripture!

"My wanderings You have counted;
my tears are stored in Your flask;
are they not recorded in Your book?
Then do my enemies turn back, 
[my distractions, vices, negatives, evil] 
when I call upon You.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in Whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
I am bound, O God, by vows to You;
Your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For You have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God
in the light of the living."

God bless His Real Presence in us!  Thank You, Lord, for all the blessings and goodness given to all of us, and especially my gratitude for the direction and guidance from the hermit-priest spiritual director you've provided.  Thank you, dearest spiritual Da, who blessed me and the hermit-priest as we sensed your presence with us, blessing us, even though we could not see you standing by us.  The hermit-priest and I each felt you standing between and slightly behind us--to his left and to my right-- blessing this alliance from your place in glory.

Catholic Hermit: Update, Handling Hermit Wrong Doings

Well, this is most fascinating turn of events, if not so pitiable.  Perhaps there is great good in having pursued a canonical hermit's cyberstalking and doxxing that has gone on far too long.  Now for an update.

Once the canonical hermit's diocese Vicar General checked into their situation with the canonical hermit of which they had no knowledge of being "theirs," they want nothing to do with the situation. It is reported that no one in the diocese--not the Bishop nor his designee, has been supervising nor directing this person who has promoted self as a canonically approved hermit of that diocese for nearly a decade and has made many claims of authority as such.

The cleric who handled this situation suggests I pursue it through legal counsel as a civil case against the person.   They really want nothing to do with the so-called "canonically approved hermit."

The person from that diocese called with the rather surprising news--surprising due to the over ten years of bluff and bravado being eschewed, often with my being a point of criticism, libel, attack, cyberstalking and doxxing not only by this so-called "canonical hermit" but also by one of this person's online buddy, kind of like that canonical hermit's "fixer."

Sadly, I've not been the only one whose been abused in what the canonical hermit has written on the internet--yes, claiming a right to write "in the name of the Church" by virtue of much self-publicized canonical approval--of which her own diocese knew nothing of this canonical hermit in their midst.  Yes, at one point, the bishop who approved this person realized who the person is or was; perhaps someone talked him into approving; but within a couple or three months that bishop left that Diocese.

I've requested that diocese authority's statement in writing; and then I will pray for God's will in pursuing it with retaining legal counsel or to let God handle it, solus Deus.  The Holy Spirit will let me know which way to deal with it since I've gone through the logical and Scriptural ways of dealing with this person's wrong doings of which in that state are explicitly written in two penal codes.

All I really request is a cease and desist--and to remove my personal information which this canonical hermit has, up until a couple weeks ago, sprinkled into the blog the person writes, supposedly authorized by the canonical hermit's bishop or designee "in the name of the Church."

I had taken this step of contacting the person's diocese authorities not only for myself, but on behalf of the several others the canonical hermit has also attacked in online blog and forums.  Yet, now it is most fascinating from the point of view of the question:  Just what does a diocese or bishop do when its/his canonically approved hermit crosses the line into illegality--if not also crossing the Christian and moral line?

Perhaps the situation ought be pursued for the sake of hopefully more canon laws being developed so that their is a legal protocol within dioceses and for bishops to have some type of recourse in order to monitor and if need be, remove or whatever they want to term it, a hermit he has canonically approved or has inherited from his predecessor/s.  There are processes for removal of priests and religious order brothers and sisters; it seems needful to have a procedure of canonical hermit correction and/or removal.

And, if it were simply a matter of having a waiver of liability, Dioceses would have been having priests and religious order brothers and sisters signing them right and left to avoid liability in civil matters of illegalities.  Of course, we know that is not the case, nor would it stand up in a civil law case.  Yet, much prayer now, and to seek counsel of a priest, in discerning whether or not to pursue and follow up this unfortunate yet abusive "approved hermit" and situation perpetrated to the next step recommended by the canonical hermit's own diocese.  Mercy!

For those who have been abused by the canonical hermit in question, this is a cue to laugh at the turn of events, at the reality of the hypocrisy of the unfolding--yes, to think of how false it has been and how hubris--and the devil-- can enter into such a soul to put such grandiose claims in writing.  However, in actuality, and at some point in temporal time or at death, truth is the victor.  

It is no wonder, such as in this situation, why most bishops will not entertain requests from people desiring to be "canonically approved".  Wisdom and prudence rules their minds and hearts.  Why take on an added headache when hermits can do as they always have done--privately profess their vows, remain anonymous, live the three evangelical counsels, be guided by a holy priest and the Holy Spirit, and yes, make mistakes, but not break the law, for pity's sake--not the law of God nor the law of the land.  Or, if so, then face the consequences without tainting the Catholic Church and the hermit vocation, both.

As for being hidden as a hermit in the midst of others, at least it does not reflect badly upon a diocese or the Catholic Church if the traditional, privately professed hermit flubs in minor or major ways.  God knows; God will admonish and correct, judge, any type or hermit one way or another.  

God is merciful; but also is God just.  

Catholic Hermit: Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?

The question Peter asked of Jesus and then answered, himself, is exactly what we may ask ourselves at all times, especially at this time in the life of the Church today.

"Lord, to Whom shall we go?"

We go to Jesus Christ!  He has the Words of Eternal Life.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

As a consecrated Catholic hermit, privately professed and of the traditional hermit vocation--timeless and ageless in calling, function, and purpose--turning to and going to Christ Our Savior is always the correct choice.  He will never fail to guide us no matter what.

I ponder the wisdom of St. Peter at this personal time of transition, of one phase concluding and another beginning.  It is the type of metamorphosis of which we all are familiar, repeatedly in our lives and especially in our spiritual life that dovetails with our temporal life.  I consider some bishops I have known, and over time revelations of events in their lives and dealings have come forth--that which is not so positive of human beings whose guidance or supervision would be in the least or most--wise or prudent.

However, to have Jesus Christ to guide us in all aspects of our comings and goings, our breathing and thinking, feeling and loving--we can never find a more perfect One.

As a consecrated Catholic hermit I am reminded of this truth all the more when I encounter those who place themselves in even the most basic, temporal aspects and decisions of their lives, in obeisance to those among us who hope and strive, especially if ordained, to act in Christ's stead.

A wise, prudent, humble, holy spiritual guide who also is a priest (or has been raised to the bishop's chair) is a rare and treasured gift, but if wise, prudent, humble, and holy will not presume to dictate or make provisions in and for one's daily and life decisions and situations.  This is not at all the way of Christ nor of His teachings, nor of the way of the hermit calling and vocation from the earliest times--even of those old Testament hermit-prophets.

Always, as Jesus Himself advised, we are to follow Him, remain in His Love, seek Him in all matters.  In spirit and truth, Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.  Abide in Him.

It is a beautiful gift from the Lord when we do find that rare and holy one--a priest of the church, a holy, saintly one subsumed into Christ, to walk with us and listen, speak, share, to pray and discern with us along our days and hours as we traverse this temporal world.  But a wise and humble and holy, earthly guide will always point us and defer--as Mary does: to Jesus Christ.

We must beware anyone who advises or assumes otherwise, even in the revered position of a temporally famous bishop or cardinal.  As St. Patrick's breastplate prayer mentions:  Christ before us, above us, under us, behind us.  Christ all around us.  As Scripture makes clear:  Christ is the alpha and omega.

Lord, to Whom shall we go?

Always and ever, Jesus Christ!

His answers may not seem to come immediately, but His answers come, they unfold in our earthly time.  Jesus Christ guides us always and perfectly even if we do not grasp the why of His will.

Trust in the Lord, both now and forever.

I love what St. Paul writes to the Christians in Corinth:

"...to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,
with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
....I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in Him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Canon Law 603

A reader has inquired about Catholic hermits and Canon Law 603.  I am re-posting this Church law for the inquirer, although I refer the inquirer to the series of posts on the topic, written in March 2015.  

Ironically, the topic diverges greatly from what is unfolding in my heart and spirit--that which I am currently called to write of the spiritual life, the spiritual progression of our souls, of living a vocation with the spiritual artistry that His Real Presence imbues.  But a hermit is hospitable; and thus I cite CL603 for the visitor who has come knocking at my little laptop window to the world, via internet.


The following is the added proviso to what are the institutes of Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church, per the eremitic life.  Canon Law 603 [cited below] provides an option for a consecrated Catholic hermit.  

Canon Law 603

Can. 603 §1.  In addition to the institutes of consecrated life, the Church recognizes the eremitic or anchoritic life by which the Christian faithful devote their life to the praise of God and the salvation of the world through a stricter withdrawal from the world, the silence of solitude, and assiduous prayer and penance.

§2.  A hermit is recognized by [Church] law as one dedicated to God in consecrated life if he or she publicly professes in the hands of the diocesan bishop the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by vow or other sacred bond and observes a proper program of living under his direction.

[Emphases added.]

CL603 has some additional requirements beyond what all consecrated Catholic hermits must live per the institutes of the Catholic Church.  [See previous post for Consecrated Life in the Church, and specifically The Eremitic Life, 920, 921.] CL 603 requires the Catholic hermit to publicly profess the three evangelical counsels [celibacy, poverty, and obedience] in the hands of his or her diocesan bishop.  

Note that the hermit under CL603 proviso must live what is ostensibly determined to be a proper program under the diocese bishop's direction.  

Research reveals that in current practice (de facto), many diocesan bishops delegate their direction of said hermit to a priest, deacon, or other designee. 

(In these cases, it is presumed that the diocese bishop who received the hermit's professed counsels and who recognized by [Church] law, the hermit's profession, is yet ultimately responsible by church law (de jure, if term technically applicable to church law) for the direction of said hermit.  It is also assumed per church law re. the office of bishop, that when a diocesan bishop of legal record is replaced by another bishop, the hermit must then live the determined proper program under the incoming bishop's direction.)  

Canon Law 603, while more recent, is a viable, additional provision to the institutes of the Church per consecrated, eremitic life, for the Catholic man or woman discerning and/or called by God to the consecrated life of the Church as an eremitic.  For some bishops and hermits, it may be a preferred provision for various reasons, not mentioned here.

Catholic Hermit Answers Question on Hermit Term

I've explained and commented on this previously, but a reader has inquired about a term seen online: "lay hermit".  While the purpose and function of what I write and share is not to be a "Dear Hermit" column, I do want to clarify if someone has a genuine question.

The term "lay hermit" is one that has been created or fabricated by someone online, since that is where the person has seen it written.  There is no such category as  "lay hermit," nor does there need to be.  Why?  Hermits are to be simple, for one thing, and adding terms and conditions and categories leads in the wrong direction.

Rest assured that in the Institutes of the Catholic Church as well as in Canon Law, and in any books written of the hermit life by hermits or about hermits of the past many centuries to present, there is no such valid or utilized term as a "lay hermit".

Hermits are hermits.  Catholic hermits have always been Catholic hermits.  In recent years, in addition to the traditional and historical vocation know as hermit or eremitic vocation, the Church has kept what few guidelines and parameters for this vocation quite simple.  We can trust that Holy Church knows what is best in this case.

In the past three decades, bishops of dioceses have created a delineation of an additional type of "profession" other than the norm which is private profession of vows for a hermit.  Now there is also an option to be more involved at a diocesan level and seek formal approval and have direct supervision by a diocesan bishop.  This category of hermit is one who makes public profession of vows, with daily plan of life approved and overseen by the hermit's bishop.  Some bishops have added some additional requirements per his own diocese, and others have adopted some of them. 

Any Catholic hermit who has professed the three evangelical counsels either privately or publicly and is living his or her hermit life according to the institutes of the Catholic Church as precisely and simply stated in The Catechism of the Catholic Church is living the eremitic vocation (hermit) within the Consecrated Life of the Church.

It's as simple as that, as far as terminology goes.  You may look up "Eremitic Vocation" in the index of The Catechism and read the two passages pertaining to hermit vocational requirements.  If you want to publicly profess your vows, you may read Canon Law 603 and contact your diocesan vocations department and/or your diocesan bishop for further information on being a publicly professed hermit.  Otherwise, you may live your hermit vocation as a privately professed hermit.

There is no such thing as a "lay hermit"--not that it matters.  We hermits need to be seeking harmony with His Real Presence and with the Body of Christ of which we Christians all belong and not be concerned with creating new terms, labels, classifications, and ad hoc requirements.  Involving oneself with such activities, creative and perhaps well-intentioned, can take a hermit way off course from a life of prayer, praise of God, penance, stricter separation from the world in the silence of solitude while remaining hidden from the eyes of men.  

There is no need for more classifications or distinctions in the hermit vocation other than now the two:  privately professed and publicly professed.  To do so counters simplicity as well as the Catholic Church's precisely and brilliantly written institutes on the various vocations within the Consecrated Life of the Church. One can question anyone who invents a hermit label.  Why?  Is it to try to diminish or elevate Catholic hermits one over another?  Jesus Christ warns against lording it over others; be wary of anyone trying to create unnecessary, nonsensical, false labels. 

Obviously, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church has seen no need to create additional labels for the eremitic vocation.  If at some point in future, the Vatican or the bishops of the world find it necessary to create other labels and to dissect into further categories the hermit vocation, they will vote on it; and if agreed upon will add it as Canon Law and/or rewrite the pertinent section of the Institutes of the Church.  Then we will hear about it and read about it from and in published Church documents.  Ten different categories or labels--or even one hundred--will not alter the substance and quality of living the hermit vocation in a way pleasing to His Real Presence.

Hope this more than answers your question!

God bless His Real Presence in us!