December 23, 2005

One of the great traditions we have inherited as Franciscans is to take times of hermitage—that is, a time to pull away from the ordinary tasks of everyday life in order to focus more intentionally on our relationship with the Lord. If one were to pilgrimage to Assisi, he could still visit the little caves to which St. Francis would withdraw for times of solitude. In fact, some of the early friars spent most of their religious lives as hermits, and St. Francis himself was torn as to whether he should become a full-time hermit or continue active ministry. Ironically, it was two contemplatives, St. Clare and Sylvester of Assisi, who helped St. Francis to resolve his holy dilemma.

I had a dilemma of a different sort once when I was on hermitage. I got off to a late start (now that’s not so unusual for those of you familiar with Franciscan time), and it was dark by the time I set out for the hermitage which is situated on a rural farm property in Hudson, NY. It was a cold, cloudy and moonless night. Upon arriving, it was quickly noted that the power in the farmhouse was out. But the real problem was that my night vision is extremely poor and the screen porch between me ant the fuse box was home to a warehouse of farming and construction equipment and materials. Needless to say, the path ahead was quite hazardous. Then I remembered that there are usually matches kept over by the woodburning stove. If I could only feel my way over to it, I could hopefully find the matches, light one, and see my way safely to the power box. Well, the plan worked, and God blessed me with a wonderful time of solitude with our Triune God.

Isn’t it amazing how even the merest flicker of light has the power to overcome the darkness! When the world had grown so cold and dark, and the pathway to heaven had become imperiled by the hazards of sin, and we were powerless to save ourselves...

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it... The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world... all who received him, who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (Jn. 1:5-14)

2004 years ago Light was born into the world. In these remaining hours leading up to the celebration of His birth, we may not be able to get away for some solitude, but there’s no reason we can’t find a hermitage at home. Maybe a slightly earlier wake-up in the morning, going later to rest, or a quiet moment in that one place where nobody follows you. 2004 years later, let the Light of Christ dispel the darkness that vies to overtake the world—one heart at a time.

A blessed and grace-filled Christmas!

Fr. Sylvester Mary Mann, C.F.R.
Director of St. Anthony’s Residence, resides at St. Crispin Friary in the South Bronx
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