Eremitic Life
Canon 603
§1. Besides institutes of consecrated life, the Church recognizes the eremitic or anchoritic life by which the Christian faithful devote their life to the praise of God and salvation of the world through a stricter separation from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance.
§2. A hermit is recognized in the law as one dedicated to God in a consecrated life if he or she publicly professes the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by a vow or other sacred bond, in the hands of the diocesan bishop and observes his or her own plan of life under his direction.
There are numerous books and articles describing the eremitic life. Below, please find a short list. Desert dwellers reach back to the 3rd century, on through the middle ages, and up to the present century where both men and women continue to follow Christ along a desert path.
Today, individuals called to this ancient form of consecrated life are scattered about our globe. Each lives according to their own Rule approved by their bishop.
What all have in common is a commitment, under vow to their bishop, to live poorly, chastely, and obediently a life of prayer within the silence of solitude.
You may have many wonderments concerning the eremtic life. My desire is to bring this form of consecrated life to your awareness and allow the scholars to share the wealth of their knowledge. However, if you have a specific question, please feel most welcome to send me an e-mail or write; I'll be more than happy to address your enquiry.
Books
Cistercian Publication
The Hermitage Within
Clay, Rotha Mary
The Hermits and Anchorites of England
Warren, Ann K.
Anchorites and Their Patrons in Medieval England
Wencel,er.cam., Fr. Cornelius
The Eremitic Life
Articles
Fairhurst, Richard
What Are Anchorites?
Stern, Christina
Sealed in, yet Soaring: Anchoresses in the Middle Ages