Paul A. Fredette - Consider the Ravens: On Contemporary Hermit Life

for Consider the Ravens, On Contemporary Hermit Life

by Paul A. Fredette and Karen Karper Fredette

What a refreshing concept in this crazy, too busy, too noisy world. The Fredettes not only introduce a new/old way to live but theyve written a comprehensive book on the subject, presenting a wholesome, meaningful, spiritual and convincing alternative lifestyle for (the many) with an aching void at the center.

The subject is unique; the content, for anyone interested in assuming this quiet but rewarding lifestyle, is very complete, answering questions from its biblical history to the everyday challenges one finds in eremitic living. The premise is straightforward, clean and no-nonsense. The authors write with conviction, honesty and sincerity, enhancing the material with historical facts, anecdotes and statistics. The attractive cover with its emblematic ravens will draw potential readers in to consider this kind of life.

Writers Digest

Paul and Karen Fredette have rendered a valuable service in making available to a wider audience Consider the Ravens which surveys the hermit life of Christians in all its manifestations. It can be highly recommended to all who seek the one thing necessary.

Brother Patrick Hart, monk of Gethsemani Abbey and last secretary to Thomas Merton. Brother Patrick has edited a number of books by and about Merton

Having worked on, taught and mentored others on St. Francis of Assisis Document on Solitude (aka Rule for Hermitages), Consider the Ravens is certainly a most welcome contribution to eremitical literature, especially because the authors themselves actually live an eremitical life as well as maintain solid contact with hermits throughout the world through their newsletter Ravens Bread. It is their wisdom, derived in their daily encounter with and enfleshment of silence, solitude and contemplation that makes this volume a valuable asset for anyone thirsting for the same.

Andre R. Cirino, OFM, Co-editor of Franciscan Solitude, and Office of the Passion of St. Francis of Assisi

Each year of the new millennium brings forth more excellent works on spirituality, so much so that our bedside or deskside piles continually tend to topple over. From among an explosion of writings about the Way, Paul and Karen Fredettes Consider the Ravens, On Contemporary Hermit Life emerges as one of the finest. Cream rises! Notable for its inclusiveness and its gentle humor this work will appeal not only to those committed to the solitary life, but also to people whose Inner Hermits are seeking recognition. Thanks to Paul and Karen for their ministries of newsletter, website, hospitality, and this very special book.

Betsy Caprio Hedberg, Los Angeles,

www.centerforsacredpsychology.org

Our most vital journey in life is our spiritual journey, our journey toward God. An essential element on this journey is solitude because it opens us to God. Jane Frances de Chantal wrote: It is good when the soul loves solitude; its a sign that it takes delight in God and enjoys speaking with him. Solitude is the keystone of the eremitical life.

Consider the Ravens is a thought provoking book that covers all the important aspects of the hermit life. It is an easily readable, entertaining, enlightening, witty, practical resource book for anyone interested in this vocation. Well documented and well researched, it provides an historical overview of hermit life and a thorough explanation of the various types of eremitical life styles available today. The joys, difficulties and challenges of this vocation are presented, and illustrated by many personal examples from current hermits. There is a little hermit in each one of us. This book is for those who desire beauty beyond what is seen, simplicity that reflects goodness, quiet prayer and a closer union with God.

Carolyn Humphreys, OCDS, author of From Ash to Fire: A Contemporary Journey through the Interior Castle of Teresa of Avila (Gracewing) and Carmel, Land of the Soul: Living Contemplatively in Todays World (Alba House)

For those who are curious about eremitical life, Consider the Ravens is a rich portal. For those drawn to the life, this book reassures and guides. For those already living as hermits, the reader feels only gratitude that what lies so deeply in the heart has been expressed so beautifully.

Progressing from historic fact to present day experience, Consider the Ravens dispels illusions and illuminates eremitism, a lifestyle which has been found in every major religion. Passing from initial attraction to daily necessities, this volume provides abundant and helpful information. Insights of hermits from twenty-seven countries, initially contributed to Ravens Bread, a newsletter edited by the Fredettes, have been culled and distilled into one comprehensive book. Speaking from her experience of thirty years of cloistered life and six years as a hermit, co-author Karen makes the lifestyle concrete, depicting her life in an un-insulated cabin, carrying water, slipping in mud as well as into deep silence, and finding the joy which leavens daily difficulties with humor.

Of particular interest to those of the Catholic faith is the historical rise and fall of eremitical life within the church from centuries of popularity to almost complete oblivion to its re-awakening in the 1950s and official recognition by the recent promulgation of Canon 603 which allows individuals to officially profess eremitical vows recognized by their bishop. Many other hermits prefer to find their own way into solitary life, living doubly hidden in the heart of the world around them.

Of what value then, the hermit? In the final chapter, the authors find that value in the Beatitudes. The life of solitude embraces a poverty and humility almost unimaginable in our multi-tasking, media-frenzied lifestyle. Though living apart, the genuine hermit experiences human connectedness on a most profound level and sums up his/her ultimate goal in one word. Love. Hermits offer themselves their time, their worries, their doubts and joys, bundled together by enduring patience and faith, in a single-hearted alliance with Gods love. What makes their gift so infinitely precious is that they will never know if they make any difference in their world. They will have only the reassurance of prayer itself.

Of what use to us who are actively engaged in the world is the hermit? One could ask a similar question of the person who steps into a garden, blooming and fragrant in spring sunlight. Of what use, the flower?

Barbara Erakko Taylor, author of Silence and The Silent Dwellers

Every heart needs solitude. Consider the Ravens is a thorough and compelling portrait of a lifestyle from which we can all draw inspiration.

Elizabeth Ayres, author of Invitation to Wonder: A Journey through the Seasons and founder of the Center for Creative Writing (CreativeWritingCenter.com)

Consider the Ravens is a book I myself needed, for both its information and inspiration. Even though Ive been busy since the 1950s establishing contemplative communities and eremitical lauras in Europe, Canada and the US, I benefited from the direction and nourishing insights it offers from afar, or more literally, from above through the fresh revelations from God embodied in the many hermits quoted in this splendid volume.

Society itself senses its own imbalance, living without creative leisure; without the basic conviction that the most important thing to do is to be. We skip the supreme art of contemplation and become dehumanized by consumption. The hermit does not flee from the social life and business of the world. But in order to live in the depths, at the heart of reality, s/he slows down, moves into an atmosphere of solitude and stillness, deliberately cultivating silence. In such deep levels of awareness, God comes.