From Rorate Caeli:
The following note is from a priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI). We here at Rorate chronicled the brutal treatment of these priests under the current pontificate for the last few years. So those of you who have read this blog for a while know what they’ve gone through. This good priest’s request is a win-win for him, his new mission and you. By helping him you are helping sanctify your family and/or other families you enroll. What a great Christmas present this would make for your family or a family you care about! Please see Father’s note below:
Dear Rorate Caeli:
Grace, peace and joy to you in the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
I have been a longstanding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and, in 2013, I obtained permission from our Apostolic Commissioner to discern my contemplative vocation outside the walls of the Order. Thanks be to God I have recently been welcomed by a benevolent Bishop to be a hermit in his Diocese.
One of the conditions for being received into his Diocese is that I be “self-sustaining.”
Providentially, a group of the lay faithful who used to assist the missionaries and contemplatives of the Franciscans of the Immaculate through a Latin Mass Novena website have recently offered the use of this website to me. Besides my normal expenses (food, utilities, healthcare, etc.), there are the initial costs of getting set up as a hermit, so I was wondering if Rorate Caeli might be in a position to let people know about my upcoming Christmas Latin Mass Novena which, besides enrollment in 9 Tridentine Masses, includes a beautiful Christmas enrollment card and a CD (anthology of sacred and classical music I have recorded as a seminarian and friar over the past 26 years). All of the information can be found HERE.
Thank you and God bless you.
In Corde Matris,
Fr. Maximilian Mary
Catholicism Pure & Simple 
“Besides my normal expenses (food, utilities, healthcare, etc.), there are the initial costs of getting set up as a hermit, so I was wondering if Rorate Caeli might be in a position to let people know…”
I wonder if Anthony the Great (c. 3rd Century A.D.) is smiling (not laughing) like I did at the appeal about the costs of getting set up as a hermit. Someday, I would like to take road trip to Fr. Maximilian Mary’s future stylite or cabin in the woods. Maybe my Jewish friend and I…
…might go there someday, say in 2019 after our Chautauqua outing in 2018…
…We plan far in advance, as you can see, but he’s always game for new experiences, and neither of us has ever met a real hermit. I’d give him (the hermit) a hundred bucks, just to see how it’s done, but not until I do.
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I’m reminded of one of Gandhi’s helpers, who said, ” People would be amazed if they knew how much it costs to keep him living in poverty.”
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Another appropriate example would be Mario Tosatti’s 2014 piece, The Cost of Frugal Living, describing Pope Francis’ chosen residence in Santa Marta, and illustrated with plenty of pics.
Let’s face it: if there is a king, the court cannot be suppressed. Even if he is a king like Pope Francis who says he doesn’t want any signs of regality. Still, the court exists (and how!)
Edit: I would not wish my above comment to be seen as a criticism of FFI Father Maximilian! I have no idea of his personal circumstances to make this call for financial help. As a true Franciscan, I feel sure he will only take what he needs from the incoming funds, and give the surplus to worthy causes championed by his order.
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True, Kathleen, Get rid of the King, and the court will cease to exist. We don’t hear all that much of the French court nowadays, do we?
The story recently about Poland crowning Christ their King, reminded me of our own dear Hapsburg Restorer of Threadbare Royalty.
Perhaps he can tell us if Austria is considering making Jesus the Archduke soon?
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