What is Raven’s
Bread Ministries about?
Raven’s Bread Ministries is a service offered to hermits and lovers of
solitude – those who have embraced the full-time eremitical life; those
who are discerning this particular call from God, and those who cherish
what solitude they can work into their daily lives. The mainstay of the
ministry is the quarterly newsletter, Raven’s Bread, Food for Those in
Solitude which allows hermits to share their experiences, questions, and
reflections with one another. The material gleaned for the newsletter is
unique, born of personal experience and often surprising, as well as
being utterly true to life.
Paul and Karen Fredette compile Raven’s Bread and send it to all those
who wish to receive it. Donations are appreciated but not required.
Using the data derived from a comprehensive survey as well as the shared
information contributed to Raven’s Bread, they have compiled the most
complete guide for eremitical living currently available, “Consider the
Raven’s, On Contemporary Hermit Life”.
Why would anyone want to be a hermit?
Discussion and research cannot answer this question because the reasons
for choosing a life of solitude are as diverse as those seeking it. The
majority of hermits do so for spiritual reasons. Note that we said
“spiritual” reasons, not “religious” ones. No particular denomination or
religion has a special claim on producing hermits – they are found
around the world among people who practice every type of spirituality.
However, the Roman Catholic Church has one of the more consistent
histories of recording and supporting eremitical life. The Desert
Fathers and Mothers appeared in the Fourth Century CE and their
collected sayings have provided a well of wisdom to nourish lovers of
solitude ever since. The recent revival of eremitical life is a
by-product of the major cultural shifts which the world has undergone,
particularly in the past fifty years.
“How do you define a hermit?”
The simplest definition of a hermit is someone who lives alone by choice
for spiritual reasons. A reader of Raven’s Bread, has defined her
calling thus: “As I’ve come to experience my own call and learned
through other hermits I’ve met, solitaries are those who have been
called to step aside. That call is so imperative you have little hope of
ignoring it. But once embraced, there is true joy (after many inner
battles) as you find your true center and heart’s desire. I love
people—but my call to be a hermit has opened that love out into a
different form of self-giving. My call has been to be a religious
solitary, living a life of thanksgiving and adoration, self-sacrifice
and renunciation, praying for souls I will never meet, an offering of
self for love of others.” Hermits are not selfish individualists who
dislike human society. They are passionate lovers who seek to bring
balance to our world which, without people at the Center, threatens to
fly apart.
"Radio Talkshow"
On
August 16, 2010 Karen Fredette was interviewed on blog radio by Kathryn
Bonner, founder of “Women of Passionate Purpose, International,”
regarding the ministry to hermits which she and her husband, Paul,
offer. That live interview is still available at this URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2010/08/16/women-of-passionate-purpose
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Raven’s Bread,
Food for Those in Solitude is a
newsletter
designed to meet the needs of hermits, especially their desire
to connect with others who share their values. Simply knowing
that others are “out there” provides heart-warming assurance
that they are not alone in their life-choice. We offer the
option of connection without joining; of companionship without
intrusion; of guidance without judgment.
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More Books >
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Take Note!
There is an excerpt from a book in the Raven’s Bread
Library, published bi-weekly on the Lending Library Page for
your reflection.
Learn More > |
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