In a short Independent (UK) article in the PsychoGeography series, entitled “When Hermits Walked the Earth,” author Will Self reminisces about hermits he has known and speculates on how modern life both created and eliminated hermits. URL: http://argument.independent.co.uk/regular_columnists/will_self/story.jsp?story=490658. The complete article requires a paid subscription.
Web “Groups”
Discussion groups have long been on the Internet, but Yahoo! Groups are friendlier for users and anyone can create or join them. Groups are the equivalent of e-mail sent to all members of the group. Of potential interest are groups found using the keyword “hermit” such as: Powys, Catholic Hermits, and Hermits Parlor. At the same time, groups can be erratic, lie dormant (without messages) for a long time, and may end up being time consuming. Another drawback is that a “public” group will leave messages open to anyone on the Web.
Guidebook on Eremitic Life
The Catholic Archdiocese of La Cross (Wisconsin, USA) has translated into English the statutes governing hermits in France promulgated by the Canonical Committee of Religious under the Bishops of France. The English translation dates from 1998 and is entitled Guidebook on Eremetic Life. Web site is: http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/ministry_resources/vocations/book/page9.asp
Medieval Mystic Women
The Web site for a Canadian television series entitled Mystic Women of the Middle Ages, produced at McMaster University, features a “typical” young woman named Chrstine and her life and days in fifteenth century France. The live video, animation, and audio, are objectively done and informative. A segment entitled “The Anchorite” or “Anchoress” is included. The Web site for the series is http://mw.mcmaster.ca. The section called Christine’s Home Page is located at http://mw.mcmaster.ca/chrstine.html. To go directly to the Anchoress page, the Web address is: http://mw.mcmaster.ca/nunnery/anchorites.html
Order of Anchorites
This private (i.e., non-canonical) Catholic order of solitaries (which includes Eastern and Western rite) offers a reflective Web site with representative passages on the eremitic life. The site is at the free host, Tripod, but don’t let the pop-up ads deter a pleasant visit. The site was called to our attention by the Webmaster, and we shall pursue it in more detail due to its apparent spread throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The graphics, original to the Order, are especially interesting. The Web site is: http://www.anchorhold.tripod.com (Corrected entry on June 12.)
NOTE: The site has closed. We have no further information about it.