We also have an international ecumenical domestic expression consisting of single men and women and families, living in their own homes and sharing the same Rule and Constitution with the monastic expression. Our monastic mission foundation on the Island of Ometepe in , Central America currently includes both monastic and domestic members. 

One of the key words to describe our community is integrated. We balance contemplative and charismatic, stable (i.e., living in one place) and itinerant (i.e., traveling); solitary and communal; and eremitical and active ministry. Another major monastic integration is that of celibate men and women and families existing side by side without losing their uniqueness. It is exciting to see the radical gospel lifestyle at work for every state of life in one community raised up by the Spirit within the Church. 

Most of the work we do at the Little Portion Hermitage consists of gardening, care of livestock, office work, cooking, cleaning and maintenance of the grounds and buildings. Part of our life deals with the manual tasks of making the community as self-sufficient as possible. Each brother or sister may also choose to spend a few hours a week doing some ministry in the nearby towns. Our local outreaches include manning our Little Flower Clinic; ministering at our Little Portion Retreat and Training Center, which is run mostly by local domestic members but with some involvement from the monastic community; and meeting various other needs of the local populations that come to our attention from time to time. Another ministry of ours is giving tours and simply being a loving presence to the hundreds of “pilgrims” who come to visit the hermitage every year. 

Our life is a head-on confrontation with one’s personal relationship with Jesus and the reality of dealing with human sin and imperfection in oneself and others, as we strive for honest community openness in seeking to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Ours is a life of well-balanced prayer, study, work and service. Join us as we rediscover in our own day and time the origins of the New Testament, monasticism and religious life. When the first disciple asked about his way of life, Jesus simply said, “Come and see” (John 1:39). When speaking about the discernment of the genuine work of the Spirit, he says, “By their fruit you will know them” (Matt. 7:20). Rather than try to prove the work of the Spirit in our community, we feel more comfortable following the example of Jesus by simply inviting people to “come and see.” We believe that the fruit of the Spirit abounds in our community. So come and pray with us. Work with us. Share in our joy! Due to limited space, overnight accommodations at the hermitage are limited to candidates who are seriously inquiring into life in the monastic community.  

Candidates to the monastic expression must be in good health, physically, emotionally and spiritually and debt-free. If you believe that God is calling you to our monastic way of life, you should begin by reading the following books by our founder and general minister, John Michael Talbot: Simplicity, and The Fire of God. You should also read Signatures: The Story of John Michael Talbot by Dan O’Neill. These books will give you an in-depth look at the vision and lifestyle of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. If after reading the books you feel attracted to our vision and lifestyle, please write: 

Little Portion Hermitage
Attn: Vocations Director
350 CR 248
Berryville AR 72616 

or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it