Hiking up to the Hermitage

On the 21st, we took a walk with Ben and Lise from Ragged Dragon and “hiked” up to the Hermitage at the top of Mount Alvernia on Cat Island. It’s the highest spot in the Bahamas–206 feet above sea level. (It wasn’t much of a hike, to be fair!)

Father Jerome, or John Hawes, who is known for building cathedrals and convents throughout the Bahamas, built the Hermitage in 1939, as a 3/4-scale monastery for his own residence and contemplation. He renamed Como Hill to Mount Alvernia as a demonstration of his devotion to the works of St. Francis of Assisi.

He also hand-carved the fourteen Stations of the Cross, which are located on the hillside climb up to the Hermitage.

The views were lovely.

It was a nice way to spend part of a quiet afternoon!