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

Board of Directors

Board members are: Br. David Steindl-Rast, Br. Francis Ali and Sr. Michaela Terrio.

Brother David Steindl-Rast - was born July 12, 1926, in Vienna, Austria, where he studied art, anthropology, and psychology, receiving an MA from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and a PhD from the University of Vienna. In 1952 he followed his family who had emigrated to the United States. In 1953 he joined a newly founded Benedictine community in Elmira, NY, Mount Saviour Monastery, of which he is now a senior member. In 1958/59 Brother David was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Cornell University, where he also became the first Roman Catholic to hold the Thorpe Lectureship, following Bishop J.D.R. Robinson and Paul Tillich. Brother David works on gratefulness.org website and his full bio can be found here.

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, Br. Francis lived 8 years as a monk at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, CA, 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.

History of Sky Farm

From 1974 until 2002 Father Dunstan Morrissey, a widely venerated Benedictine Hermit lived here in the silence of the Sonoma hills. 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 and the current Board was elected in 2002 to continue this Hermitage of prayer.

Christian Solitude

The Christian tradition of hermit monks 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-7th Century Hermit Monk