Rule for Hermitages

The Rule for Hermitages expresses a spirit of simplicity and community so that solitude is reconciled with an essential characteristic of Franciscan life, brotherhood and sisterhood. When this document is examined against the background of the early biographies of St. Francis, the manner of living described in it appears to be a symbol of his inner life.

Rule for Hermitages as adapted by Bethany Ministries

Bethany Ministries strives to live a 21st century version of the Rule for Hermitages as expressed in our Mission Statement.

Those who wish to follow the spirit of Christ according to the vision of Francis of Assisi expressed in his "Rule for Hermitages" should honor the alternating rhythm of their lives between living the two roles Francis describes as being "mothers" and "sons." They should alternate between being "mothers," following the life of Martha of Bethany, and being "sons," following the life of her sister, Mary.

When living as Martha of Bethany (what Francis calls the "mothers,") they should protect those who are living as Mary of Bethany (what Francis calls their "sons") from any disturbance or distraction. Both as "sons" and "mothers" they should seek first of all the kingdom of God and God's justice (Mt. 6:33; Luke 12:31). The roles of "son", and "mother" should be in balance or in creative tension as discerned by the individual and the community.

When acting as the "mothers," they should protect their "sons" from any disturbance or distraction. Both as "sons" and "mothers" they should seek first of all the kingdom of God and God's justice (Mt. 6:33; Luke 12:31). The roles of "son", and "mother" should be in balance or in creative tension as discerned by the individual and the community.

Francis believed that the contemplative dimension of the life of the Friars needed to be incarnated in certain places. During his lifetime this happened at hermitages, like those at Greccio, the Carceri near Assisi, La Verna, and through small communities living the Rule for Hermitages, so that all the Friars could hear the call to contemplative life and prayer more clearly.

In his simple document, Francis is witnessing to what Michael Himes calls the "principle of sacramentality."

As Michael Himes puts it: "in our time, according to the sacramental principle, a ministry 'makes effectively present for the community what is already there in the community, but which requires expression for it to be fully received and celebrated.' " ("Making Priesthood Possible," CHURCH, Fall, 1989, p. 5).

The Rule for Hermitages (written by Francis of Assisi)

Those who wish to live religiously in hermitages should be three brothers or four at the most; two of these should be mothers and they may have two sons, or at least one.

The two who are mothers should follow the life of Martha, while the two sons should follow the life of Mary (cf. Luke 10: 38-42), and they may have an enclosure in which each one may have his small cell in which he may pray and sleep.

And they should always say Compline of the day immediately after sundown; and they should be eager to keep silence, and to say their hours, and to rise for Matins; and let them seek first of all the kingdom of God and His justice (Mt. 6:33).

And let them say Prime at the proper time, and after Terce they may be free from silence, and they may speak and go to their mothers.

And, whenever it pleases them, they can seek alms from them as little poor ones, for the love of God. And afterward they should say Sext and None and Vespers at the proper time.

And in the enclosure, where they live, they should not permit any person to enter, nor should they eat there. Those brothers who are the mothers should be eager to stay far from every person; and because of the obedience to their minister they should protect their sons from everyone, so that no one can talk with them.

And the sons should not talk with any person except with their mothers and with the minister and his custodian when it pleases them to visit with the blessing of the Lord God.

The sons, however, should sometimes assume the role of the mothers, as from time to time it may seem good to them to exchange [roles]. They should strive to observe conscientiously and carefully all the things mentioned above.

Note: Thomas Merton has written a wonderful reflection on this rule in Contemplation in a World of Action (the chapter entitled "Franciscan Eremiticism").