The Eremitical Way Of Life

An early Franciscan Skete

For many change the place of contemplation into a place of idleness and change the eremitical way of life, which was devised for the perfecting of souls, into a cesspool of pleasure. The norm for such hermits of the present time is to live as each one pleases...Would that the hermits of our time would not fall away from the primitive beauty, the praise of the righteousness of which remains forever.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXXVI

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