✙ comments & commentary
“Bartholomew was there for me during the illness of my son, when he died, and afterwards. When necessary I could always reach him by phone, and he called and texted me when I needed it the most. With God’s help he effectively, unselfishly, and religiously consoled me throughout this difficult time and helped me to carry my unbearable loss. I value his friendship as a hermit immensely. And even though under normal circumstances we never really speak, I know he prays for me almost daily".
- widowed mother
“Having met Bartholomew by chance, I asked him about his life as a hermit. Then he listened to me as I told him about my current life's situation, and he gave me some advice. Though I still do not believe in a God, I found my conversation with Bartholomew inspiring. Maybe we actually will see each other in 'heaven’ again. If so, then I won't be afraid to admit my mistake."
- business executive
"My Christian upbringing was quite light. So I don’t particularly believe in the power of prayer. But after meeting Bartholomew, he promised me to pray daily for me during the next couple of months. Even though a part of me still refuses to believe this completely, I feel that I must perhaps thank Bartholomew for his intercessory prayers for me. Because I had a profound restorative experience after I happened to meet him at the parking lot. Since then, I’ve often thought back to this unlikely encounter."
- separated mother of two daughters
“Bartholomew managed to recognise my underlying dilemmas and managed to help me effectively conquer the conscious and subconscious defences that blocked my way back to true - heartfelt - prayer. He was effective by being to the point and by being straightforward with me despite my misgivings. His directness was needed, but I found it sometimes bordering on the uncomfortable. Though he was always truly sincere and attentive, I would have appreciated being less often interrupted while trying to formulate my arguments and feelings. Nonetheless, in letting me meet Bartholomew - who clearly and genuinely cared about me as if I was true family but as a hermit maintained somewhat of a social distance at all times - God gave me the forceful push I needed to finally and successfully overcome my inner obstacles. For this, I will be forever grateful."
- widow (retired)
“My gratitude to God for having received the trust and opportunity to read hermit Bartholomew’s Ratio Vivendi.
His clear decision, at only 14 years old, to search for God through the path of knowledge is remarkable. And so is his consequent life of collecting that knowledge through testing and experiencing various available roads. Ultimately his all-encompassing drive to go from seeing to understanding, and then from understanding to believing, brought him to the life-changing conclusion that Jesus is real, and really the Son of God. And - therefore - that Christianity is the most true and the most universal faith of all religions.
Having read brother Bartholomew's entire Ratio Vivendi, I wholeheartedly share his conclusion that he has a true vocation to the hermit life. And that he is not only called to the hermit life, but also qualified to live it.
Brother Bartholomew's daily schedule of prayer, study, fasting, penance, and work is a demanding one, but I think it's a good one."
- bishop emeritus
“For me personally, brother Bartholomew is the embodiment of sincere and non-judgemental wisdom. He points the way forward, provides us with spiritual nourishment, carries us in his prayer, and is reliable. We can always turn to him with our religious questions and dilemmas, even though he maintains his boundaries as a hermit."
- mother of two daughters
“Brother bartholomew is a very direct, honest, and upright person with a warm heart. He is a quick thinker and he will keep searching until he has gotten to the heart of the matter. Combined with his compassion and fundamental honesty, I found him sometimes to be too direct and impatient. Also, he is sometimes hard to reach. But he always returns any missed calls quickly. Personally, I’m very happy to have asked and received his advice."
- Roman Catholic priest
“Brother Bartholomew contacted me, after some thirty years, because he felt like he needed to call me. This happened exactly at a moment that I found myself in a difficult situation in my life without a clear way forward. For the next couple of years Bartholomew supported me with his intercessory prayers, his practical advice, and his mild admonitions. In the end, I made it through and found stable ground once again. I’m very grateful to God for the help Bartholomew provided me with during these difficult years."
- professional musician, father of two teenagers
“Some people appear in your life as a blessing. For us, brother Bartholomew is such a person. He left a worldly successful life for an uncertain life of prayer and study in silence and solitude. To be closer to God. And from that place of silence and seclusion he became a voice of peace, tranquility, and safety in our family life. Despite the storms and struggles he faced in building his own life as a hermit, he was there for us with his prayer, with his peace of mind, and with his confidence: all rooted in God. He was there for us when we were worried, when we were grateful, and when we were temporarily lost. He genuinely builds people up instead of breaking them down. We thank God for knowing him."
- father in a family of four, living in a 3-generation household
“Bartholomew's heart is in the right place. He's a very pleasant person to work with."
- the board of directors of a parish corporation
"Brother Bartholomew is a profound and deeply compassionate person of whom I think there are few. Looking back on our contact, I can say that I have never had such pleasant conversations before in my life."
- widow and former war orphan, retired
If you want to leave your honest feedback too, then please do so through the contact form on the homepage
…and then really - please - don’t forget to include your critique as well, as it is only through critique that we can grow...
Because we all do our best, but sometimes we fail nonetheless. All we can do is get up, and try again. Slowly but surely becoming better at what we do.
However: for Christians - and even more so for cardinals, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, hermits, and so-called fools for Christ - it's especially important to be open and accountable about their behaviour in general, and about their failures in particular. Why? Because their behaviour is intrinsically and intricately part of who they are, of what they believe, and of the example they are called to live.
"However: for Christians - and even more so for cardinals, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, hermits, and so-called fools for Christ - it's especially important to be open and accountable about their behaviour in general, and about their failures in particular. Why? because their behaviour is intrinsically and intricately part of who they are, of what they believe, and of the example they are called to live"
Pope Gregorius the First (540 - 604 AD) phrased this best when he pointed out that if someone’s way of life is despised, his or her faith will be too.
Unfortunately, that lesson needs to be learned and relearned again and again, both in every generation and in every individual life. My life is certainly no exception to that rule. And, perhaps, neither is your life.
That is why I will always appreciate to receive your feedback and critique. Especially - in the spirit of psalm 141:5 - when you are critical or even downright negative about me. For your honest feedback will help me self-empty from all my wrong proclivities and habits, thereby helping me to become a better person. Also in this way you will help me grow as a Christian, and it will enable me to apologise and make amends to you whenever you may have felt offended because of me.
Thank you for your honesty.
bartholomew.