Little Portion Hermitage 30 Year Anniversary

Little Portion Hermitage Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary, Honors Jubiliarian Members


On October 2nd through the 5th, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity gathered together at Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, Arkansas for their annual General Gathering of members from the Monastic and Domestic expressions. Nearly 200 people attended, and enjoyed four days together of teaching, common prayer, and fellowship at Little Portion. The theme for this Gathering was "Unity Builds Community". Sessions for the members were led by Founder and General Minister, John Michael Talbot, and included teachings and encouragement to fully live out the Rule and spiritual vision of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity and to share the good news of Jesus with others. Leaders in the Domestic Expression of the community, such as Andrew Billing, Domestic General Minister, also shared teachings and presented workshops for those in attendance.

At our gathering this year, several members moved forward in their status within the community. Four individuals were received as Novices and six made 3-year Temporary Professions in the Domestic Expression. One Monastic member who lives at Little Portion, Claude Pelican, made his 3-year Temporary Profession.

This year's Gathering was particularly important, as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity celebrated the 30th anniversary of the opening of Little Portion Hermitage. Blessed by Bishop Andrew McDonald and Bishop (now Cardinal) Bernard Law in 1983, Little Portion began on its site in northwest Arkansas with a small number of community members and initial structures. It expanded over the years to include a larger chapel and several common buildings, and the community membership grew as celibate brothers, celibate sisters, single members, and families moved there to live, work, and pray in a monastic setting. After a devastating fire in 2008 destroyed the main chapel, refectory, and common center, the community rebuilt these crucial spaces, and Bishop Anthony Taylor dedicated the new buildings in 2010. On Friday afternoon of the Gathering, a special outdoor tea was held by the community in celebration of these 30 years of presence and ministry in the local area.

Another special aspect of this year's Gathering was the recognition of several long-term community members, honored as jubilarians at a Mass in Charity Chapel on October 5th that was celebrated by Bishop Anthony Taylor. These members of the community came from both expressions, Monastic and Domestic, and included those celebrating anniversaries of lifetime profession in the Brothers and Sisters of Charity for 20, 15, and 10 years. These members were applauded by all those present as John Michael Talbot called them forward to be honored. Prayers were said for all of them, and the whole community joined in singing Amazing Grace together, in thanksgiving for all God has done. Twenty jubiliarians were present for the recognition, and several others who were not able to be present were announced by name. One 10 year jubilarian present, Brian Bartley, shared: "It's hard to believe that 10 years has gone by since my wife and I made a permanent commitment within the community. God has truly blessed this journey, and given us so many wonderful brothers and sisters with whom to live out this monastic spirituality in the world and deepen our relationship with God."

The jubilarians were also honored with a special dinner in the community refectory, complete with table servers, wonderful food, and anniversary cake. Bishop Taylor joined John Michael and Viola Talbot as a special guest at the dinner, and offered a prayer of grace for the celebratory meal.

Each year, the General Gathering takes place in early October, near the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, and includes activities for the whole family, including a youth ministry program for all those under the age of 18. Fifty children of all ages were present, as Domestic members and their families traveled from across the country to take part in this annual event. The community members look forward to this Gathering every year as a chance to connect with one another, experience in-depth teaching from the Founder of the community and other leaders, and deepen their faith and understanding of the spiritual calling they share as Brothers and Sisters of Charity.