Catholic deacon given job of hermit at 350-year-old cliffside retreat

Catholic Herald (U.K.) ^ | 21 Apr 2017 | Staff Reporter

[vladimir998]

Stan Vanuytrecht beat 50 applicants to win the role and occupy one of the last hermitages in central Europe

A Catholic deacon has won a competition to live in one of central Europe’s last hermitages, beating 50 other applicants to occupy a 350-year-old cliffside cell above a small Austrian town.

Stan Vanuytrecht, 58, responded to an advertisement placed by Fr Alois Moser, which asked for someone with a “connection to Christian belief” and “at peace with themselves”.

The role, which is unpaid, became vacant after the previous incumbent left to pursue a writing career in Vienna. The hermitage, in Saalfeden, 40 miles south of Salzburg, has been occupied every year since it was built 350 years ago.

[vladimir998]

Vanuytrecht’s predecessor, Thomas Fiegmueller, stayed for just one season. He told the Salzburger Nachrichten daily: “I met lots of nice people and had good conversations. But there was also criticism from apparently arch-conservative Catholics because I didn’t have a cowl or a beard … Maybe I was the wrong person.”

[vladimir998]

Link: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/04/21/catholic-deacon-given-job-of-hermit-at-350-year-old-cliffside-retreat/

[arthurus]

This doesn’t sound very traditional. In days of yore a would be hermit would go find a cave or go build himself a hut in an out back sort of place.

[latina4dubya]

i want that job...

[latina4dubya]

is he provided with food? or is that up to him? article doesn’t give much info... i would love to know more...

[BeauBo]

[BeauBo]

[BeauBo]

[editor-surveyor]

.
“Hermit!”

Now there’s a scriptural office for you.

You just can’t invent this stuff.
.

[Reily]

Sounds a step up from late Georgian England living garden gnome!

See the “Worst Jobs in History - Georgian England”

[Tax-chick]

How scenic and peaceful that looks! I could get so much sewing done!

I’ll bet it’s cold, though.

[Salvation]

I agree. Doesn’t sound quite right.

[KarlInOhio]

A Catholic deacon has won a competition to live in one of central Europe’s last hermitages

Won a competition? Was it a reality show Europe's Lonliest Hermit? You're thrown out when the Abbot speaks to you? "Brother Maynard, You failed the scriptorium challenge. John 3:16 is not "All copying and no play makes Maynard a dull monk."

[Tax-chick]

The hermit-in-residence is expected to receive visitors during the season, April to November, ready to chat, pray, and enjoy the view.

I think this sounds like a really fun job. It seems that the "hermit" - who is more like a host at a historic site, maybe - is an employee of the town?

[vladimir998]

“Now there’s a scriptural office for you.”

Wasn’t John the Baptist something of Hermit? http://blog-by-the-sea.typepad.com/blog_bythesea/2009/07/elijah-and-john-the-baptist-as-precursors-of-the-hermits.html

And...

Hebrews 11: 35 - 40

[LeoTDB69]

Great place to get the band together...

[Campion]

Yeah, nobody in the Bible ever went out alone into the desert and lived on locusts and wild honey. Never happened.

[editor-surveyor]

.
Yochannon’s office was Cohen Gadol, not hermit.
.

[GreenLanternCorps]

You would miss your children...

...eventually...

[Tax-chick]

Those over 18 could come visit me ;-).