Our Community
→ Work
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/checkingahive.jpg)
Community Wares
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/jammaking-280x300.jpg)
Jams/Chutneys/Marmalade
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/honey-216x300.jpg)
Honey
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/woodenholdingcross-194x300.jpg)
Holding Crosses
Holding Crosses
Holding Crosses are seen firstly as a prayer activity in solitude at a Brother’s hermitage. Each cross is carved and ‘worked up’ by hand using a fine chisel, then finished off with a fine rasp and completed by sanding and waxing by hand. Once the crosses are finished, the divine name is stamped on the foot of the cross. They are prayed over during the office (usually Friday) asking the blessing and love of God for all who hold them and pray with them in the words:
Bless these crosses and those who shall hold them that together we may know your presence in our lives and be drawn more deeply into your love, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
A prayer card is provided with each cross. When you pray with your cross, the heart and mind will find its own personal expression in the Divine Heart. Whether in silence or in words. The important quality in prayer to Our Lord is the gift of ourselves.
Blank Greeting Cards
One card features the creek which runs through the property (Sister Water) and is from an original photo taken by the Brothers. The card depicting the Carceri Hermitages established by St Francis is also from an original picture taken by the Little Brothers of Francis.
The card depicting the Icon of the Visitation was painted by Sr Marie-Paul, OSB, a nun living in a Benedictine Monastery on the Mount of Olives in the Holy Land.
St Francis (& Canticle of the Sun)
Icon of the Visitation
Hermitages, Carceri
Stone Hermitage
Sister Water
(creek running through Eremophila)
Tending the Animals
The animals’ feed is supplemented by the Brothers, particularly in times of drought.
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tendingtheanimals.jpg)
Construction
All buildings on the property have been constructed by the Brothers, one of whom has done some marvellous stonework in the construction of the Brothers’ hermitages, the Goat Shed, the Guest Cottage, the pillars on which the Refectory stands and the Bell Tower. All stone used has been gathered on the property.
The Community Building has been completely lined with pine wood and the Refectory, with its beautiful wooden floor, stands out over the cliff looking down to Plumbago Creek.
The floor of the Prayer Room is sandstone which was sourced from the quarry at Helidon which supplies all stone for the building of St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane. In the prayer-room, the Gospel-stand and candle-holders have been carved by a Brother from timber found on the property.
Gathering Wood
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/gatheringwood.jpg)
![](https://franciscanhermitage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/holdingcross.jpg)
Using a Holding Cross
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Lord Jesus, your heart burns with love for me: inflame my heart with love for you.
Jesus
God is love
Gardening, Beekeeping and Fencing
The Brothers attempt to be as self-sufficient as possible and grow whatever vegetables and fruit they are able to. Some of their own fruit is made into jams etc for sale. Stone fruit, citrus and olive are the main trees in the orchard
The Brothers have a small apiary (about 10 hives) and harvest their own honey for bottling and sale.
The property is in the rocky foothills of the Great Dividing Range – locally described as “rubbish country”. A creek running through the property provides water for bathing etc and makes a lovely swimming hole in the hot weather.
Fencing is important to protect the stock from wild dogs. The Brothers have installed some electric fencing run from the solar electricity panels installed on the community building