Father Charles Brandt鈥檚 spiritual quest drew him to a more solitary contemplative life. Brandt found his way to Vancouver Island and was ordained as a Catholic hermit-priest. In 1970, he moved his cabin to a remote location onto 27 acres of forest that had been logged a couple of decades earlier. This young forest would grow wild around his hermitage above the Oyster River for the next 50 years.

As an environmentalist, Brandt believed that many contemporary ecological issues could be traced back to a lost sense of the sacredness of the natural world. He devoted hours daily to prayer and meditation within his forest. When Brandt passed away, he generously donated the property to the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) to serve as a park. The hermitage remains in operation through the efforts of the Brandt Oyster River Hermitage Society which offers a residency program, small retreats, meetings, quiet meditation walks and educational seminars.

This year鈥檚 keynote speaker at the annual general meeting will be Margo McLoughlin of the McLoughlin Gardens Society. A local writer and storyteller, McLoughlin will be talking about contemplative practice in the creative process. CVRD Parks Manager, Mark Harrison will be present to answer questions about the new park. The meeting will take place Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the Oyster River Fire Hall at 2241 Catherwood Rd. in Black Creek.

Afterwards, an Open House at the Hermitage will be held at 2364 Catherwood Rd. Limited parking available along the roadside. The Hermitage is just a 5 minute walk from the Firehall. The Brandt Oyster River Hermitage Society (BORHS) would like to invite the public to support the hermitage legacy by becoming a yearly member for $20. Visit our comprehensive website focusing on the work and writings of Father Charles Brandt.