About Us

Sky Farm is a non-profit corporation founded in 1975 as a Hermitage in the Hesychast tradition, with guest facilities and chapel for the purpose of prayer, contemplation, study, and work; and to promote spiritual well-being among its members and the community at large through these practices.

The further intention and deepest hope is to promote Peace through the living of a life of truth, compassion and respect for every creature. To this end the hermits in residence are called Hermits of Peace. The bell is rung daily at noon and prayer is offered for peace, through the intercession of Our Lady of Peace and St. Francis of Assisi.

"Acquire inner peace and a thousand persons around you will find peace." - St. Seraphim of Sarov, Russian Hermit-

"If one gains the peace of the Self, it will spread without any effort on the part of the individual. When one is not peaceful oneself, how can one spread peace in the world?" -Ramana Maharshi, Indian Sage-

 

 

The Board of Directors are Br. Francis Ali, Sr. Michaela Terrio and Dr. John G. Trapani, Jr.

Father Dunstan Morrissey, a widely venerated Benedictine Hermit, lived a life of silence and solitude at Sky Farm from 1974 until 2002. He created a few hermitages for guests and offered these generously to those who came, sharing also the wisdom flowing from his practice of stillness and solitude. Desiring to seek greater solitude he retired in 2002 and a new Board was elected to continue this Hermitage of prayer.

Fr. Dunstan completed his earthly journey on Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2009. This was a day he traditionally dedicated to complete solitude.

We thank God for the gift of his life and remember him in prayer.

Br. David Steindl-Rast, a senior member of the Benedictine community in Elmira, NY, Mount Savior Monastery, well-known spiritual teacher and founder of A Network for Grateful Living and its remarkable website: gratefulness.org, generously served on the Sky Farm Board from 2002-2010. We are deeply grateful for the immense gift of his friendship and support. Deeper Than Words: Living the Apostles' Creed, Br. David's newest book is available. Of it Houston Smith writes:This book belongs on every pastor’s desk, and on the nightstand beside the bed of every Christian who is trying to deepen his or her spiritual life.”

Br. Francis Ali - Immersed in the study and practice of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and the Hesychast tradition, especially the writings of St. Isaac the Syrian, he lived 8 years as a hermit monk at New Camaldoli Hermitage, 13 years in a forest hermitage, and made 3 extended trips to India to live with Fr. Bede Griffiths. He has also been deeply inspired by the life and writings of Fr. Henri Le Saux, (Abhishiktananda) and has been a Christian Sannyasi since 1985. He now lives in hermitage at Sky Farm.

Sr. Michaela Terrio - Experienced a call to the Desert in 1973 and lived for 17 years as a cloistered Poor Clare Nun. In 1992 she traveled to Shantivanam Ashram in South India to be with Fr. Bede Griffiths from whom she took vows of renunciation as a Christian Sannyasi. Upon her return she established a Center for prayer and contemplation in Santa Cruz, California. From 1998-2003 she lived in hermitage and worked at San Damiano Retreat before moving to Sky Farm where she now lives as a hermit sister.

John G. Trapani Jr. is professor of philosophy at Walsh University. During his 36 years at the university, he has served as chair of the Philosophy Department and Humanities Division and is the founder and director of the university's annual Philosophy-Theology Symposium, now in its 35th year. The current president of the American Maritain Association, John has written extensively on Maritain's philosophy and is editor of Truth Matters. He has recently published,

Poetry, Beauty, and Contemplation:The Complete Aesthetics of Jacques Maritain.

Christian Solitude

The Christian tradition of prayer in solitude goes back to Jesus and plays an indispensable role for the well-being of the Church. Before undertaking his mission and before every significant event in his life, Jesus spent time praying in solitary places. He taught his followers to do the same. Throughout the history of the Church, men and women have followed the call to lifelong solitude. A few hours, days or weeks of prayerful seclusion can bring strength, healing, and clarity to everyone’s life.

“If you love truth, be a lover of silence. Silence, like the sunlight will illuminate you in God.”    -St. Issac of Syria, a 7th Century Hermit Monk-