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"If we could do anything for the Lord, what would we do?”

The building of the Hermitages of the Priestly Heart of Jesus came about through the lavish providence of our Heavenly Father. A letter written at the beginning of the building project shares the story in more detail but the whole of it is truly miraculous. A farmer and his wife offered the community 80 acres of beautiful land, then an architect offered to donate his services, then a couple approached Mother and asked that Mother and the community “dream big.” We heard the invitation really from the Lord and took seriously to prayer the question: “If we could do anything for the Lord, what would we do?” Unanimous among the community, was the desire to commit a large portion of the donated property to the service of priests, to offer them a place of silence and prayer where they may behold anew the beauty of the Lord’s Priestly Heart and thus rejoice in their union with Him. We desired to do so in a way that would be hidden, allowing them to be alone with Him.

In the two years that have followed that discernment we have continually seen the Lord’s blessing and are deeply moved by HIS desire to be with His priests. It is overwhelming to see the generosity of the benefactors of the project, the long hours of the building team, the diligence of the artists all working to do this work for the Lord.

We were asked before beginning to build, “How will the sisters pay for the maintenance of such a large apostolate when your community does not fundraise or ever charge for your services?” The question was already in our hearts. Yet, whenever we brought the question to prayer, the answer wasn’t ‘an answer’ so much as a beholding of the lavish providence with which our Heavenly Father unfolded everything. We know it is ours to be about the work that He has entrusted to us, to labor for souls with our whole hearts, to use prudently the resources that are entrusted to us, and to trust in our Heavenly Father. We know we cannot do this on our own and we will need help with operating expenses.

We ask your prayers for the apostolate and for the priests who will come. If you wish to support the mission with a monetary gift, we are deeply grateful for your generosity. Every work in the church is truly done with one heart, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” We pray for our benefactors daily and hold close to our hearts the gift of doing something together with you for the glory of God and the strengthening of the Church.