The Big Sur beachfront in California houses a new hermitage of the strict order of the Camaldolese, hermits who follow St. Benedict’s rule. They came to the U.S. at the suggestion of Thomas Merton, author of Seven Story Mountain.
They wasted no time in adapting. They joined ranks with some Episcopalian monks, while remaining in the Church, and helped them build their monastery, also near Big Sur.
They even did some preaching on the Berkeley Campus, but stayed centered at Big Sur. They conduct retreats and live the liturgical life of the Church. No bingo or evening poker games.
Civilization 