New Camaldoli Hermitage: Who We Are
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 he community
in Big
Sur is situated in the rugged coastal mountains overlooking
the Pacific Ocean. Located on 899 acres at an elevation of 1300
feet, the Hermitage is surrounded by California chaparral, redwood,
madrone, bay laurel, and an oak forest. The
view is of both ocean and woods - a natural setting profoundly
conducive to the contemplative way of life.
Photo Gallery One
Photo Gallery Two
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he Camaldolese
Charism
Camaldolese Benedictine monks trace their heritage to the 6th century
monastic traditions of St. Benedict, as further defined in the 11th
century by their founder, St. Romuald.
The three elements of the Camaldolese charism are:
- Solitude for personal prayer and meditation
- Communal prayer and work within the monastery
- Promote contemplative spirituality in the world
Founded in 1027, the Hermitage at Camaldoli, Italy serves as the motherhouse
of the Order. Today, Camaldolese monasteries are found on the continents
of Asia, Africa, and North & South America in addition to Europe.
 ew Camaldoli
In 1958, the Camaldolese established New Camaldoli Hermitage
in Big Sur, CA.
The monks labors include hospitality, retreats, book store, writing,
and original art, pottery and music.
Many of the monks were called to monastic life as a second career.
Former lay careers of community members include college and high school
teaching, performing arts, engineering, clinical psychology, chemistry,
construction and the United States Armed Services.
Former religious careers include service as diocesan priests and as
members of Benedictine, Franciscan, Salesian, St. John of God and Redemptorist
orders.
 ncarnation Monastery
Incarnation Monastery was established by the Camaldolese in Berkeley,
CA in 1979.
Strategically located adjacent to the University of California Berkeley
and the Graduate Theological Union, Incarnation serves as a house of
studies for Camaldolese monks as well as an urban retreat center.
The Incarnation Monastery Monastic Institute shares Benedictine spirituality
with the GTU theological community.
St. Romuald's Brief Rule For Camaldolese Monks
Sit in your cell as in paradise.
Put the whole world behind you and forget it.
Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish,
The path you must follow is in the Psalms — never leave
it.
If you have just come to the monastery,
and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish what
you want,
take every opportunity you can to sing the Psalms in your
heart
and to understand them with your mind.
And if your mind wanders as you read, do not
give up;
hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.
Realize above all that you are in God's
presence,
and stand there with the attitude of one who stands
before the emperor.
Empty yourself completely and sit waiting,
content with the grace of God,
like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing
but what his mother brings him.
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