Nestled in the woods of the Ozark Mountains in Northwest Arkansas lies one of the jewels of new American monastic life. Some have called it one of the secrets of the Church in America. For us, it is just where we live.
Little Portion Hermitage and Monastery is the Motherhouse of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Monastic and Domestic. It is the primary home of the Monastic community. To accommodate the integrations for solitude and community, contemplation and ministry, it has places for solitude in hermitages, and common areas in the Monastery, main church, work buildings, guest houses, prayer and vegetable gardens. The beauty of the Hermitage and Monastery reflect the spirituality of the entire community, where everyone does their respective prayer, work, and recreation, and ministries overflow from there.
The hermitages are scattered around the main Monastery and work areas in what is called a skete in the ancient monastic language of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. It was later used in the West by the monastic reforms of 10 th and 11 th centuries of Sts. Romuald and Bruno during the Gregorian Reform. This same pattern was used by Celts in Ireland, early Augustinians in Italy, Carmelites in the Holy Land, and St. Francis of Assisi. It was also used on Mount Athos in the East. We use it building on a most venerable tradition.
The Hermitage and Monastery is a spiritual powerhouse where the life in the Holy Spirit is focused and perfected. It is what Pope Francis called a “school of communion” (Address to the 202 nd General Chapter of the Friars Minor Conventual, June 17, 2019). The ancient art of spiritual warfare is practiced there, with the necessary guidance of a spiritual father or mother to help guide the monk along that path. The rewards of this journey are far greater than what can be found in the typical parish church or active consecrated community, if pursued seriously. Jesus said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Are you chosen to follow this special calling? We invite you to come and make a pilgrimage, retreat, a day visit, or to join us for a lifetime.