Cat Island Adventure: Hiking to the Hermitage

At the peak of Mount Alverna, we explore the ruins of a Catholic hermitage. 

With S/V Pandion safely anchored in New Bight off Cat Island, we took our dinghy ashore and hiked to the top of Mount Alverna. The highest peak in the Bahamas (at 206 ft), the site was chosen by Father Jerome, a Catholic priest, to build his hermitage. He built the entire structure by himself, lived there until he died at the age of 80, and was buried there.

Entrance to the hermitage.

Father Jerome had an interesting life. Born in 1876, he studied for five years at the Royal School of Architecture, before becoming a Catholic priest. Using his skills as an architect, Jerome designed and built St. Paul's and St. Peter's churches on Long Island in the Bahamas, traveled to Australia to preach, returning to Cat Island to retire.

The remaining structures were in good condition,
with the exception of the old guy posing for the picture.

We had the beautiful place to ourselves, walking quietly around Father Jerome's last home. It was serene. Outstanding views of the Atlantic Ocean, Exuma Sound, and Cat Island.

The hike up to the hermitage included Father Jerome's depictions of the Stations of the Cross,
signifying the path of Christ during the Crucifixion.
All of this work was done by Father Jerome, working from native stone.

The climb to the hermitage, along a steep stone path.

The altar at the hermitage included a journal for visitors to sign.
The site is still owned by the Catholic Church.

Father Jerome's hermitage at the peak of Mount Alverna. 

We hiked back down to the settlement of New Bight, finding our way to Hidden Treasures, a shoreside food shack that served fresh snapper. Along the way, we watched as about a dozen cats waited patently for a local fisherman to toss them scraps from cleaning his catch.

It is Cat Island, after all.

Cat Island's local felines getting a meal from a local fisherman. 

View from our lunch stop on the beach at New Bight.