Entering a life of solitude, prayer

WELCOME  Sister Maggie Garcia (center) is welcomed to Bethlehem Hermitage in Chester by Sister of Christian Charity Joan Daniel Healy, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, and Father Mariusz Koch, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, who oversees the hermitage.

CHESTER  The Bethlehem Hermitage here welcomed Sister Maggie Garcia as a candidate sister last month during a Mass at which she received her habit.

In her time of discernment and formation in the ancient Eremetical life of the Church, Sister Maggie will experience life as a hermit. Her days will begin at 4 a.m. with several hours of prayer and worship, including Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in her individual hermitage and Mass in the chapel. The hermits eat their meals in solitude, except on Sundays and solemnities when they gather for the main meal.

Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Mariusz Koch, who oversees the Bethlehem Hermitage on a part-time basis, was main celebrant at the Mass welcoming Sister Maggie. Sister of Christian Charity Joan Daniel Healy, chancellor and delegate for religious, attended the Mass for Sister Maggie.

“I had the joy of visiting the Bethlehem Hermitage a few times this year, and on my last visit I was present at the Mass offered by Father Mariusz Koch, for the acceptance of the newest member of the Hermitage family, Sister Maggie Garcia,” said Sister Joan Daniel. “Father Mariusz has been a blessed asset to the Hermitage, in that he has a vision that vocations will soon be coming to the hermetical life. With the acceptance of Sister Maggie, his vision is beginning to take root. When I am at the hermitage, I can feel the peace, the prayers, and the energy that surrounds this holy place. The hermit vocation is a special calling — not for all — but for those who feel called to this life, the answer can be found at the Bethlehem Hermitage.”

In his homily Father Mariusz reminded the Hermits that their unique vocation is so needed in today’s troubled world. He said, “The world is in such great need of prayer. I don’t think there’s a single person in the world that can solve all these problems. It’s only through God that can help our world today. I remind the hermits that they pray for the intercession of all people whether it’s a teenager going through a tough time or a marriage in trouble. They’re not alone entering the hermitage to live a life of prayer. They are praying for the whole world.”

Bishop Serratelli, who was attending the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ spring meeting in California, could not attend the Mass but sent his prayerful blessings to Sister Maggie. The Bishop appointed Father Mariusz last summer to oversee the hermitage. Sister of Christian Charity Mary Margaret Miller was appointed by the Bishop as the Episcopal Delegate for the Hermit Sisters of Bethlehem Hermitage. She will arrive on Aug. 8 and will be installed on Aug. 15 during 10 a.m. Mass. Father Mariusz will continue to serve part-time while Sister Mary Margaret will minister to the sisters at the hermitage.

In addition to Sister Maggie, four other sisters and one priest currently live at the hermitage. Three young men and three young women are also in the discernment process and visit the hermitage often.

Sister Agnes Miriam Crucis, who is one of the sisters living at the hermitage, assisted Sister Joan Daniel by investing Sister Maggie. Sister Agnes said, “I thank Sister Joan for her presence at the beautiful celebration and for her encouraging words to Sister Maggie and all of us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, may this witness generate deeper thirst for God’s love in people’s hearts and encourage those to whom God has called to offer their life to serve our Lord and his Church.”

The hermitage also provides a sacred and prayerful place with its rustic environment for retreatants to spend time in prayer in the small hermitages where God speaks to them in the silence and in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Many lay people visit the hermitage for this quiet time and there are many volunteers who also allow this hermitage lifestyle to continue. “We are blessed with so many laypeople who assist in our ministry. We have volunteers who do administrative work such as answering our mail and telephones. We also have volunteers that assist in our garden and do repairs. There are also those who do our shopping for us and drive our hermits to doctor’s appointments when needed. These people really make this life work. I think the laypeople seeing the joy in these hermits give them the desire to serve here and in turn, I think the hermits who see the laypeople serving them give them the strength to continue in this vocation,” said Father Mariusz.