dies afterward, he is expected to
remain celibate. For more informa-
tion: usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/
vocations/diaconate.
Diocesan hermits
This relatively rare form of life
involves living a life of prayer and
contemplation in solitude. A bishop
must be willing to accept the formal
petition of a person who wants to
be a diocesan hermit, and official
paperwork is involved. This eremiti-cal way of life is an ancient tradition and is described, in part, in
canon law as follows (Canon 603):
“A hermit is one . . . dedicated to
God in consecrated life if he or she
publicly professes in the hands of a
diocesan bishop the three evangelical
counsels, confirmed by vow or other
sacred bond, and observes a proper
program of living under his direction.” Several books have been written on the topic, including Consider
the Ravens: On Contemporary Hermit
Life by Paul A. Fredette and Alone
with God by Dom Jean Leclercq.
Secular institutes
Secular institutes are a form of con-
secrated life in which members live a
life of celibate chastity, poverty, and
Secular third orders
are associations of
laypeople who follow
the inspiration and
guidance of a religious
order while living
in the world.
“
Learn more about #479 at VocationNetwork.org
Learn more about #476 at VocationNetwork.org
