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HERMITS of Heartsong Hermitage

The Story Behind Heartsong Hermitage.

St. Benedict said: "Laborare est orare." (To work is to pray.) 

Ecumenical Benedictines of Heartsong Hermitage was established January 1,1996 as a place of prayer and it has remained true to that commitment.

The Hermitage and its members continue doing the work that transforms our world while caring for the people of God and all creation.

Life at the Hermitage and it's diasphora is guided by the ancient monastic Rule of St. Benedict, dedicated to unceasing prayer, solitude and the ascetic life.  Due to the nature of this hermitage’s life and ministry, visitors are not received within.  Heartsong Hermits lead lives of strict solitude. It is their overriding purpose to pray for the world and the salvation of all mankind. Hermits use prayer and discipline in order to conquer their own shortcomings in addition to seeking the salvation of the world . Daily prayer for the hermit averages between eight and twelve hours a day. At other times we are ministering or tending to the needs of the hermitage. We are also vegetarians growing and sharing our food. We are also getting better each year as organic farmers

Life in Christ demands a continual listening to the spirit with a response that takes into account the times we are living. We believe God has called us together from different Christian traditions to be a living testimony to God's purpose without dogma, doctrinal, racial or socio-economic conflict, "so that all may be one..."

Living in solitude from different denominations, our unchanging focus, union with God, the living of Gospel values and the proclamation of the Gospel message. We present the Word in the living, breathing spirit of Jesus Christ.  We are Word, Sacrament and Prayer as we combine biblical teaching with spiritual wisdom.

In the past ministry has taken us to various parts of the globe in mission, preaching and teaching, from hospice to the streets and state prisons.
Always... One God.

Gentle Peace,

Mother Abiah+
, HH,  M.Div. Ecumenical Benedictine Hermit Priest



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"I believe you can look at solitude, 
community and ministry as three disciplines by
which we create space for God.
If we create space in which God can act and speak,
something surpising will happen.
You and I are called to these disciplines
if we want to be disciples".
~ Henri Nouwen

"The one accustomed to prayer only
when he bends the knee prays very little."
~Abba Isaac

"The entire life of a good Christian is in fact an exercise of holy desire.
You do  not yet see what you long for,
but the very act of desiring prepares you so that when he comes. you may see and be utterly satisfied."
~St. Augustine

 

Christopher(Abiah)+,H. is a consecrated and ordained monastic priest hermit of 16 years, and the founder of a unique group of hermits since 1996 from various denominations. Members are spiritually mature women between the ages of 55 and 69. Sr. hermits were previously sisters and nuns of a monastic community seeking an intentional call to silence, solitude and prayer.  Christopher+ in the past  served as a missionary, hospice volunteer, State prison chaplain and taught various forms of prayer. 
Three of the Heartsong Hermits (each) reside on secluded one acre plots of land. another hermitage/skete in the state of New York, one by the sea, another in rural woodlands. Heartsong Hermitage is the first of its kind where hermits of various denominations are received.http://www.creedopedia.com/topics/Benedictine