The Hermitage is a work of the Marist Brothers Star of the Sea Province, continuing to build a new community in the Way of Mary.
Nestled amongst Nature and History
The Hermitage property extends for 200 hectares (about 500 acres) of native forests and plants, beautiful gardens, heritage buildings as well as contemporary and traditional religious artworks dotted throughout the grounds. It also supports 100-120 head of cattle in various paddocks around the property, an olive grove, a citrus orchard and a significant population of geese, ducks and chooks.
Up until recently, The Hermitage also had a vineyard. Please see press release below for further details on the removal of the vines.
PRESS RELEASE, APRIL2024: REMOVAL OF VINEYARD AT THE HERMITAGE
MARIST CEMETERY
Located on Diamond Fields Road, this cemetery was once part of the Edmund Burke and family estate “Rose Vale”. It was given to the Catholic Church by Mary and Susan Burke, and later to the Trustees of the Marist Brothers who now use and maintain it. From 1907 until 1917 the cemetery was closed. In 1919 the first Marist Brother, Br Papinien, was buried in the Brothers’ Section.
Community – Built on Marist Family Spirit
The Founder of the Marist Brothers, Marcellin Champagnat, had a great desire that those working in Marist ministries relate to each other as members of a loving family would intuitively do. At the Hermitage then, we undertake to build community among those who visit here and those we work alongside. Thus, ours is a disposition of hospitality, service and family spirit.
A Spiritual Oasis
In an increasing secular world, opportunities to nurture our souls, and spaces in which we can do that, are challenging to find. The Hermitage provides such a place. Like the disciples of Emmaus, when we take time to reflect on our experiences, we are able to see how God is present during our journey.
The Hermitage in the South: 1906 - 2024
The First 100 Years
Originally acquired to serve as the Novitiate (a training centre for young men to become Brothers), the property was purchased in 1906 from Dr Edwin Chisholm. In 1917, the Juniorate (a secondary boarding school for boys aspiring to become Brothers) was added.
With its closure at the end of 1972, the vacated premises were then used for school retreats and the site was renamed the ‘Marist Retreat Centre’. This part of the property continues to be used predominantly for school retreats.
After the Novitiate was transferred to Sydney in 1985, the vacated premises were renamed ‘Marist Farmhouse’ and used for young adult ministry until the early 2000s.
From 2006
From the beginning of 2006, both sites, the former Novitiate and the former Juniorate, were merged to form The Hermitage, the original name given to the property in 1906 when the Brothers first bought it. It was given this name in honour of the Mother House of the Marist Brothers near Lyon in France, built by the founder of the Brothers, Marcellin Champagnat.
The former Novitiate site was named La Valla and the former Juniorate site was named Le Rosey. Also at this time, significant upgrading and refurbishment of the la Valla site was undertaken so as to provide twenty-first century facilities for those who wish to immerse themselves in the spiritual oasis here.
2024 marks the Bicentenary of the building of the original Hermitage in France and 118 years since the birth of our spiritual home here at "The Hermitage in the South".
The First 100 Years
Originally acquired to serve as the Novitiate (a training centre for young men to become Brothers), the property was purchased in 1906 from Dr Edwin Chisholm. In 1917, the Juniorate (a secondary boarding school for boys aspiring to become Brothers) was added.
With its closure at the end of 1972, the vacated premises were then used for school retreats and the site was renamed the ‘Marist Retreat Centre’. This part of the property continues to be used predominantly for school retreats.
After the Novitiate was transferred to Sydney in 1985, the vacated premises were renamed ‘Marist Farmhouse’ and used for young adult ministry until the early 2000s.
From 2006
From the beginning of 2006, both sites, the former Novitiate and the former Juniorate, were merged to form The Hermitage, the original name given to the property in 1906 when the Brothers first bought it. It was given this name in honour of the Mother House of the Marist Brothers near Lyon in France, built by the founder of the Brothers, Marcellin Champagnat.
The former Novitiate site was named La Valla and the former Juniorate site was named Le Rosey. Also at this time, significant upgrading and refurbishment of the la Valla site was undertaken so as to provide twenty-first century facilities for those who wish to immerse themselves in the spiritual oasis here.
2024 marks the Bicentenary of the building of the original Hermitage in France and 118 years since the birth of our spiritual home here at "The Hermitage in the South".
