Solitarian - a dedicated religious in solitude without vows.

Some people have a strong calling to the Lord our God, but due to various issues including financial difficulty or sickness they cannot become a priest, deacon or a monk of the various orders or a consecrated person such as a hermit, virgin or widow.

Due to varying circumstances, some people cannot receive vows due to their health or living situations. As a Solitarian you consecrate each day to God through prayer. However, as a Solitarian, which is essentially hermitage without vows, there is no consecration of oneself. The pseudo-order of a Solitarian provides scope for expanding your religious life if for varying reasons you cannot join an order with hierarchy e.g. the Jesuits, Carmelites and Benedictines. Essentially a "Solitarian" is a dedicated religious living in solitude without vows. It is a highly prayerful lifestyle, with flexibility to change.

If you find life alone most rewarding, then a life alone in prayer could be best suited for you. This life alone needs to be practical in the sense that it doesn't exclude all social contact. For example you may live in a share house or with your family. Some social interaction is necessary and an obligation.

Creating a Catholic Christian or Christian solitude takes time to develop, and as the order if it can be called that is self-maintained, there needs to be some self-discipline, a structured prayer-life that suits your own situation, and social interaction for various things e.g. to go shopping for food or for medical treatment or most importantly Holy Mass and the Eucharist.

The Solitarian must create their own solitary life which suits them and their own unique needs. It must be practical and personal. Remember, this is your relationship with God.

A Solitarian does not need to be living in a cavern and feeding from locusts and honey as Saint John the Baptist did; it can be modern and balanced with some social interaction, as well as the solitude and you are able to create the best you can, and never to the detrimentality of your physical and mental health. Exercise and walking is advised also.

Jesus tells us that the day and the hour are unknown - this includes death and the coming of Jesus Christ in all His glory with the legions of angels. We must be ready for the return of Christ at any moment as much as we can, though reassuringly we are also told that no matter the faith of an individual, all will be able to stand before our Blessed Lord on that final day and the rebirth of a New Heaven and New Earth.

Saint Cuthbert - Patron Saint of Hermits