Fiscal Responsibilities of the Hermit

How is the hermit to subsist? If a canonically approved Diocese hermit, one fills out various forms if the Diocese desires, and waivers the Diocese from financial responsibility in any manner, including health problems.

The vow of poverty is slackened, as the hermit must maintain his or her own living quarters, unless the Diocese provides of its own charity. The hermit may be given tax exempt status--but not a non-canonically approved, or so it seems. I would have to check on this, but I if my memory proves correct, one must be a Diocese hermit, canonically approved and publicly consecrated, for this blessing to be bestowed.

For a non-canonical, privately avowed and consecrated hermit, all else remains the same. One must provide for oneself. This may include having a job. Many receive pensions or are on disability, as is this hermit. However, more social security quarters are needed for medicare coverage, so the hermit may get a part-time job that is pleasant and positive but creative yet mindless. This allows for praying on the job, and pondering. Plus, it provides some human contact. Some hermits need more than others. God allows.

The hermit should have a will with all matters of executor, power of attorney, and health care representative designated. This hermit has all that in place and has had for several years. It was best to change from a family friend attorney to a Catholic attorney, for the desires of the hermit were better comprehended by the Catholic attorney, and he will dove-tail well with the Catholic financial advisor-investor.

Since none of my adult children are nearby, and the closest is perhaps the busiest and hardest to contact by phone, this hermit has a non-family member for the required end-of-life duties. The person will receive payment for the time and effort, of course, but given circumstances, this arrangement is best for now.

The hermit built a coffin several years ago. The wood is lovely, and the top is a 112-year-old door from a Catholic Church located a half-block from the hermit's childhood home. The bottom is an old cellar door pilfered from a trash pile down the street from the church. The sides and ends are facia boards, tulip poplar, and pry-barred from the second story of the ancestral farmhouse, razed by the school district. The hermit had permission to take wood from the interior, and that has since been given to a life-long friend who does woodworking. The hermit moved and decided to not take the wood along. It is beloved and well-used by the friend!

This is the coffin in which the hermit will be buried. The gravesite is a family plot, and the hermit will no doubt be buried beside her father, as both sisters are married and live in distant states. Of course, the adult children could die first and spouses want them buried in the family plot. We never know and must live our lives in the Order of the Present Moment, in truth, love, beauty and goodness.

The hermit may donate the house to a charity. Tax laws require that the mortgage be paid at least for five years, so there is time, God willing, for the hermit to determine which charity. Giving the house to the Diocese is an option, although it may be better to donate it to a woman's care center. Perhaps they more need the asset. Usually the little guys are in greater need. They are often times more frugal with expenditures. Often there is waste in large charitable groups or dioceses. But they don't mean to have waste. It is again a matter of judgment and personal view, for it seems that we Catholics ought to be able to give to the Church without being coaxed through an elegant dinner, by invitation-only to the high-rollers of financial esteem and worth. But these generous souls appreciate the dinner and give in kindness.

This hermit plans to have the viewing right here at Agnus Dei, as the coffin is now being used as a lovely comfort chest in front of the windows overlooking Lake Immaculata. Several orchids use this coffin as their stand, and so in essence the hermit is "pushing up orchids" already. It is hoped that my children or anyone who has memories--and grievances--will be comfortable in the furnishings, and hold a candlelight vigil, working through any forgiveness process necessary for my faults and sins done unto others. Then, there would be an hour viewing prior to my funeral Mass at the Cathedral, and burial in the family plot in a nearby town. It is a Protestant cemetery, but it is only yards from the convent property line and about as close as I will get to being buried near my holy and beloved spiritual father who is chaplain of the convent. So, this hermit will be blessed with being engraved between the earthly father and spiritual father, and close by the earthly mother (on the other side of Dad) and the spiritual godmother buried on the convent grounds. The beloved Protestant upbringing will mesh with the beloved Catholic conclusion.

Otherwise, as far as fiscal responsibilities go for the hermit, budgeting monthly income and planning for final illness and death arrangements--the process is fairly simple but needs to be in place.