✙ how can I help you?

Traditionally, the apostolate of a hermit is described as an apostolate of prayer and presence, particularly during times of suffering, grief, or need.

This apostolate (sometimes also referred to as: ministry of presence) is traditionally defined as rooted in the biblical understanding of God's presence with His people and the call for believers to embody Christ's love through their presence with others.

As phrased in ’The Way of the Pilgrim’ and ‘The Pilgrim Continues His Way’:

"In the measure that the hermit ministers to his own improvement, he benefits others. Because by communicating his inward experiences, the hermit promotes the spiritual progress and the salvation of his brethren. For his presence persuades others to progress in the search for God. And his practise and study of silence, received from all the centuries that are past, must be kept for the generations to come. The people who do this in the Church, are hermits, recluses, and anchorites. They are like pillars supporting the devotion of the Church by their secret continuous prayer.” (various citations, edited for length, unity, and clarity)

Therefore, while I’m on this lifelong trajectory, it is my offering to God - besides living out my personal calling and vocation as described on this page - to pray for others, and where possible to help them with the knowledge, fruits, and experience that my life’s vocation has brought me thus far.

However, according to the tradition, the experience, and the advice of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, I’m only allowed to do this for you:

  • insofar as you explicitly ask me to do so
  • as long as I do so in line with the traditional roadmap and safeguards as established by the Desert Fathers and Mothers
  • and as long as my spiritual director allows me to.

These and many other ‘Desert Rules' were established (i.a.) to minimise the risks - on the hermit’s side - of jeopardising his (or her) personal vocation and of being overbearing or overwhelming others with unsolicited and maybe even unwanted advice. And - as the opposite side of the same coin - it helps others to be clear and honest about whether they need help, whether they want help, and - if so - for what and from whom.

Nonetheless - as a fool for Christ - I can still sometimes challenge, provoke, or confront unasked for, albeit (ideally) solely done with a loving intention to obtain a clear personal and/or interpersonal Christian goal.

So, don't take offence when I don't react according to implicit social expectations. Because I do understand and feel them. And like everybody else I’d like to react to those implicit social expectations. However, in order to train and protect my own heart, body, soul, and mind I try not to (unless explicitly being asked or compelled to do so).

Instead: just know that you are free to ask me anything explicitly. Be it to pray for you and/or to help you with your faith related question(s). Because you are always truly welcome. One way of reaching me is through the contact form on the homepage.

And for those who think I’m an irritating imposter, a failed buffoon, and/or a sinful scumbag… you are probably right too, because I’m far from perfect. Therefore, if and when I’ve caused you to take offence without any form of perceivable justification, then please pray for me and above all please let me know that I have offended you. So I can repent from my sins, sincerely ask you for your forgiveness, and rediscover God’s Light.

Whenever you ask someone for help, do keep in mind, that - no matter who you ask for help - lives and personalities differ.

Therefore, what has worked for me might not be optimal for you. And as long as we’ve not been perfected by God’s Holy Spirit we all carry a major beam in our own eyes.

I’m no exception to that rule. As a matter of fact: I’m probably still less than half the servant I ought to be.

In other words: you should never outsource the responsibility for your own spiritual progress and wellbeing to someone else (a spiritual father, a guru, etcetera).

Because God (+) gave us all a free will. And this means ultimately that you’ve always been - and always will remain - responsible for your own decisions and spiritual progress.

In the wise and experienced words of Ignatius Brianchaninov, who lived his life from 1806 until 1867:

“In our modern times we face a total paucity of spirit-bearing instructors who can see directly into people’s souls. For this reason, the only road to Christian progress left for us in this current age is a Christian life lived under the guidance of patristic writings, combined with the counsel of contemporary brothers and sisters who are seen to be successfully progressing in line with those writings.

But be extremely cautious. Don't be caught up in their contemporary counsel according to its first effect upon you!

Test the contemporary counsel of your brothers and sisters always thoroughly against the writings of the Fathers: it should be found to be in accordance with it before taking it to heart.

Also remember that counsel never demands unquestioning execution. Instead, counsel should leave you free to follow up on it, or not. [And should you have a specific spiritual director or religious father] see to it that he brings you and your soul to Christ, not to himself. Let him consider himself as nothing, like the great and humble John the Baptist.

Guard yourself against passionate attachment to spiritual instructors."

(collated and edited for length and clarity by hermit bartholomew)