Notes from Stillsong Hermitage

Stillsong Hermitage is a diocesan (Canon 603) hermitage in the Camaldolese Benedictine tradition. The name reflects the essential joy and wholeness that comes from a Christ-centered life of prayer in the silence of solitude, but also points to the fact that contemplative life -- even that of the hermit-- spills over into witness and proclamation. At the heart of the Church, in the stillness and joy of God's dynamic peace, resonates the song which IS the hermit.

Questions and comments are always most welcome. Please email them to me at SRLAUREL@aol.com. I will share and respond to them as appropriate here on the blog, or privately if you wish.

Preparing to profess solemn (perpetual) vows in the hands of Bishop Allen H Vigneron, Diocese of Oakland (Videos and slideshow of the liturgy are found in early September 2007 Blog entries)

"Sister, receive this ring for you are betrothed to the eternal King: Keep faith with your Bridegroom so that you may come to the wedding feast of Eternal joy."

love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places

yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skillfully curled)
all worlds

e.e. cummings

Canonical Granting of Cowl, Solemn (perpetual) Eremitic Profession

"Sister, Be faithful to the ministry the Church entrusts to you to be carried out in its name."

Granting of Cowl, Solemn Monastic Profession (not my profession, of course)

"We have already mentioned above that the basic motive for choosing the solitary life in a hermitage consists in an existential longing to meet and talk to God. The hermit chooses silence in order to enter fully into a dialogue; (she) chooses solitude in order to meet closely a personal presence. The way of the desert is thus not a stray and arid path, it does not lead to the negation of all the values of the world and of other people. Just the opposite: it is the way of mutual presence, dialogue, and friendship that shines where two freedoms and two hearts, divine and human, meet." The Eremitic Life, Fr. Cornelius Wencel, er cam, p.96

The Eucharist is the center of everything that happens in the hermitage.

Welcome to Stillsong Hermitage !! May Christ"s peace be with you!!

Sr. Laurel M. O'Neal, erem. dio.

Diocese of Oakland: Lafayette, CA, United States

I am a diocesan hermit and systematic theologian. Formerly Franciscan, I moved towards Benedictinism and desert spirituality eventually finding a home in Camaldolese Benedictinism (I am affiliated with Transfiguration Monastery in Windsor, NY). My major undergraduate and graduate (BA MA,ThD) work is all in systematic theology (minors or double majors in philosophy, and English). Where eremitism spills over into ministry, I am most excited about working -- to some limited extent -- in adult education/faith formation where the most profound questions are asked, where pastoral concerns drive one's intellectual work and the very best apologetic or "answering" theology can be done. I work regularly as a spiritual director and am a member of Spiritual Directors International. I also write for publication in the areas of spirituality and theology. I have a background in clinical lab (phlebotomist, hematology) and neurosciences (research assistant) as well as experience in hospital clinical pastoral work. Combining all these influences, I am most interested in the idea of chronic illness as vocation, and especially as a possible instance of the eremitic vocation.