Peter Calvay – Hermit
Episode 1: From Glasgow to Barra
In the first episode, the hermit, Peter Calvay, introduces himself and describes his spiritual journey which led to him living the eremitical life on a remote island off the Scottish Outer Hebrides. James Robertson, the academic who visits Barra with the intention of seeking spiritual help from Peter, takes up the story. He describes how he came to know of Peter and how he persuaded him to see him over a period of a week. He describes his journey on the island plane landing on the famous cockleshell beach. He arrives filled with expectation of how Peter, the Hermit will change his life over the forthcoming week.
This course is being produced as an audio-visual and interactive presentation by Discerning Hearts Podcasts who are the main hosts of this course.
Broadcast on Radio Maria England
Listen in SoundCloud
Listen as MP3 file
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Dear David, I received Wisdom from the Western Isles from Book Depository UK. I think it is possibly the most helpful spiritual book I have read (including Francesco de Osuna’s Third Spiritual Alphabet). I have also ordered another of your books and waiting for it to be delivered. I found Chapter 11 (from Paris to Mount Athos) particularly enlightening but also rather daunting, I think I will use this for contemplation for quite a while! Isn’t this a bit dangerous though tempting the devil when a soul is as weak as mine? I can certainly see your point but having had a close encounter on Apparition Hill in Medjigorje (a person in a pilgrimage group sitting very close to me was attacked by him, a terrifying few minutes impossible to forget) I really worry about even mentions his name. Barbara
Oh Barbara. What an awful experience for you at Medjugorje. Please remember that as scripture tells us that Christ was tempted by the devil in the desert, he was not able to get in! We in the mystical body are safe too. He cannot get in!
Thank you for sharing this – regarding the content of this discussion – – – and as an example/reminder to me, that vocal narrative is an option. And that’s another topic. 🙂
I hope you’ll try it someday Brian. It would add another dimension to your already excellent and readable blogs
Dear David, Thank you so much. I greatly enjoyed the first instalment. I bought the book years ago, but love your reading of it, I am in a tumultuous state of change right now having sold my house north of Inverness and heading south to Edinburgh. I had no idea until now how far too emotionally attached I am to my home. My husband Lawrie died during the building of it in 2007 and my dear mother, who died at 95, gave us the land. I think Im grieving all over again- floods of salty tears. Currently Ive no where to stay, as have yet to find a new home, andI leave on the 9th of February- I will rent meantime which I have yet to arrange- far too much stalling- but not anymore! All your wonderful books demonstrate such hope in God and for a terrified, comfort loving, lazy wimp like me that means everything; especially now when leaving a place I feel so secure in and embarking upon a new and unknown journey at 67. With much appreciation and best wishes, If you remember please say a prayer for me, as I will for you. Christ Is Risen! Mairi
Mairi, bless you for your comment. You are going through a very hard time and to lose your husband when building your home in 2007 is very hard. I will be praying for you and wishing you consolation and peace in the time ahead.
Dear David, Thank you so much and many blessings and prayers for you. Happy Birthday! Mairi
Thank you Mairi
Dear David. I discovered your wonderful reading of your first book of the trilogy The Hermit on a podcast with Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts. I live in North Queensland Australia and have just last year 2020 made my Definitive Promise as a Order of the Discalced Carmelites Secular. Your reading spoke to me and helped me to see some things more clearly. Too clearly actually as it kept me awake in contemplation for many hours. I am in the process of ordering some books from Book Depository in the UK so your trilogy will be added to my list along with one of my favourites The Letters of St John of Avila (not John of the Cross another favourite). Thank you once again. I wish I lived in the Uk so that I could attend some of your retreats. Perhaps after Covert it might be possible. Yours in Carmel. Barbara Millard
Barbara, May you be blessed in your vocation as a Secular Discalced Carmelite. Good to hear from you.
David