Benedictines have a tendency to emphasize the Desert Fathers and the Egyptian desert communities that sprung up in response to the Christian desire to come closer to Christ. But it was not just in Eygpt and the Middle East but also in Europe. There are many “deserts” and in Ireland the early monks also went “into the desert,” this time to small islands in the wind-swept North Atlantic.
Quite amazing, really. Not going to be an Oblate up there!