Grace Thompson
The idea of Catholic monks taking a vow of silence is a common misconception. While monastic silence is observed in Catholic monasteries, there is no explicit vow of silence taken by monks. Monastic silence refers to specific times and places where speaking is prohibited, and it is practised to deepen one's relationship with God and foster spiritual growth. Trappist monks, for example, are known for their silent lifestyle, but they do not take a vow of silence. Instead, they take three vows, including a vow of Conversion of Manners, which includes the practice of silence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vow of silence | A vow taken to avoid the use of speech |
| Monastic silence | Monks observe silence during different parts of the day and maintain a sense of silence or a sense of prayer when talking |
| Trappist monks | Monks who don't talk; they take three vows, including a vow of "Conversion of Manners" which includes the practice of silence |
| Monastic orders | Most monasteries have specific times and places where speaking is more strictly prohibited |
| Western Christian traditions | The "Great Silence" is the time during the night hours – usually after Compline until the morning – wherein speaking is more strictly prohibited |
| Indian religions | Religious silence is called Mauna and the word for a sage muni means "silent one" |
| Buddhism | It is explicitly stated that "one does not become a sage simply because of a vow of silence" due to the prescription for disciples to also teach the Buddhist doctrine |
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What You'll Learn
- Trappist monks and nuns are known as the monks who don't talk but they don't take an explicit vow of silence
- Monks may take a vow of silence to resist the allures of Samsara, including those posed by the opposite sex
- In monasteries of the Western Christian tradition, the Great Silence is observed during the night hours
- Monks may speak to each other to get work done, discuss spiritual progress, or engage in community discussions
- Silence is seen as a means to access God, develop self-knowledge, or live more harmoniously
Trappist monks and nuns are known as the monks who don't talk but they don't take an explicit vow of silence
Trappist monks and nuns are known for their commitment to silence, and are often referred to as "the monks who don't talk". However, they do not take an explicit vow of silence. Trappists take three vows, which are based on the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the 6th century. These include a vow of Stability, promising to live their lives with a single monastic community; a vow of Obedience to an abbot; and a vow of "Conversion of Manners", which involves living the monastic life as described by the Rule of St. Benedict and the Constitutions of their Order. This last vow includes the practice of silence, which is a monastic value that assures solitude in community and fosters mindfulness of God and fraternal communion.
Trappists value silence as a means to deepen their relationship with God, and to develop self-knowledge and harmony. They believe that silence opens the mind to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and facilitates a closer connection to the divine. Trappist monasteries are known for their quiet atmosphere, with monks and nuns prioritising silence in their daily lives. While spoken conversations are permitted, they are limited according to the norms established by the community and approved by the Order. Trappists find that silence enhances their practice of continual prayer and allows for a deeper spiritual experience.
The misconception that Trappists take a vow of silence may stem from the concept of Monastic Silence, which refers to the rules governing the time and place for speaking in a monastery. This practice is observed by various monastic orders, including Trappists, and emphasises the importance of silence at certain times and places while allowing for conversation during designated "recreations". The discipline of maintaining an atmosphere of silence is an integral part of monastic life and Trappists strive to balance their commitment to silence with the need for communication in their daily interactions and work.
Trappists, also known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), have experienced both growth and decline in recent years. While the number of monasteries has increased globally, the total number of monks and nuns in the Order has decreased by about 20%. Trappists continue to uphold their commitment to a silent life, fostering a sense of solitude and spiritual connection within their communities.
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Monks may take a vow of silence to resist the allures of Samsara, including those posed by the opposite sex
While there is no explicit vow of silence in Catholic monasticism, monks may choose to remain silent to resist the allures of Samsara, including those posed by the opposite sex. The practice of silence is observed during different parts of the day, and monks speak when necessary while maintaining a sense of quietness or prayer when talking. This concept is often misunderstood as a perpetual vow of silence, but it is more accurately described as "monastic silence," which establishes rules for the time and place of speaking within a monastery.
Monastic silence is a highly valued practice in Catholicism, with Trappist monks and nuns known for their silent lifestyle. While they do not take an explicit vow of silence, their three vows include a promise to live the monastic life as described by the Rule of St. Benedict, which includes the practice of celibacy, fasting, manual labor, separation from the world, and silence. Trappist monks and nuns strive to foster a general atmosphere of silence in their monasteries, speaking only when necessary for work projects, community discussions, or spiritual progress discussions with a director or confessor.
The practice of silence is believed to bring monks closer to God and enhance their spiritual growth. It is seen as a way to deepen their relationship with the divine and develop self-knowledge and inner peace. This belief is supported by the Orthodox Church, which teaches that silence is a means to access God and live more harmoniously. Additionally, silence is considered a virtue in some religions, and monks may embrace it to resist worldly temptations and focus on their spiritual journey.
The concept of monks taking a vow of silence has been popularized by media and entertainment, contributing to the misconception that it is a formal rule in Catholic monasticism. However, in reality, it is a personal choice for monks to remain silent during specific times and places, such as during prayer periods or in certain areas of the monastery. This practice of "monastic silence" or "Great Silence" is observed during the night hours, usually after Compline until the morning prayers, and monks may choose to remain silent during these times to focus on their spiritual growth and resist the distractions of the world.
While Catholic monks do not take a formal vow of silence, their commitment to periods of silence demonstrates their dedication to their spiritual journey and their resistance to the allures of Samsara, including those posed by the opposite sex. The practice of silence is a powerful tool for monks to deepen their connection with God and maintain their monastic lifestyle.
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In monasteries of the Western Christian tradition, the Great Silence is observed during the night hours
In monasteries of the Western Christian tradition, the so-called "'Great Silence' is observed during the night hours – usually after Compline until after the first canonical hours of the next morning. During this time, speaking is more strictly prohibited. This period of silence is intended to allow all monks to sleep without being disturbed by those who wish to talk.
The practice of monastic silence is observed differently in various religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Quakerism. In Christianity, monastic silence is more developed in the Roman Catholic faith than in Protestantism, but it is not limited to Catholicism. For example, in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the mystical tradition of hesychasm emphasizes hesychia, or 'silence' and 'stillness'.
Monastic silence is a spiritual practice that is recommended for purposes such as becoming closer to God and achieving elevated states of spiritual purity. It is believed that by clearing the mind of distractions, one may listen more attentively to the deity. However, it is important to note that the concept of monks taking a vow of silence is a common misconception. While silence is highly valued and speaking is limited, monks do not take a vow of perpetual silence. Instead, they talk when needed but maintain a sense of silence or prayer when speaking.
In popular culture, the idea of monks taking a vow of silence has been depicted in various forms of media, such as the Netflix series "Carol & the End of the World" and the BBC series "Call the Midwife."
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Monks may speak to each other to get work done, discuss spiritual progress, or engage in community discussions
While the concept of a vow of silence is commonly associated with monasticism, no religious order takes such a vow. Trappist monks, for instance, are known as "the monks who don't talk," but they do not take an explicit vow of silence. Instead, they take three vows, which include a vow of "Conversion of Manners," which encompasses the practice of silence. The amount of silence observed is left to the individual monk or nun to determine.
In monasteries of the Western Christian tradition, there is a time during the night hours known as the "Great Silence" or "Great Vow of Silence," when speaking is more strictly prohibited. This period typically begins at night prayer and lasts until morning prayer. Additionally, many monasteries have specific scheduled hours dedicated to the monks' vow of silence, such as work silence and prayer periods, and places where expression is banned unless strictly required.
The practice of silence is observed differently by various religious traditions. In Buddhism, for instance, monks may take a vow of silence and carry an iron staff called a khakkhara that makes a metallic noise to frighten away animals. In Hinduism, the concept of Mauna, or religious silence, is also recognized.
The discipline of silence is believed to foster mindfulness of God and fraternal communion, opening the mind to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and favoring attentiveness of the heart and solitary prayer. Silence is often seen as essential to deepening one's relationship with God and is considered a virtue in some religions.
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Silence is seen as a means to access God, develop self-knowledge, or live more harmoniously
While the concept of a vow of silence is commonly associated with monasticism, no religious order takes such a vow. Even the most austere monastic orders have times in their schedule for talking. In monasteries of the Western Christian tradition, the "Great Silence" is the time during the night hours – usually after Compline until the morning – wherein speaking is more strictly prohibited.
The practice of silence is observed differently throughout the day; practitioners speak when they need to but maintain a sense of silence or a sense of prayer when talking. The rules of silence apply to both vowed practitioners and non-vowed guests.
In addition, silence is seen as a way to deepen one's relationship with God and is considered a virtue in some religions. Quaker silent worship, for instance, is a form of church service that utilizes infrequently broken congregational silence to experience God's still, small voice leading them from within.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholic monks do not take an explicit vow of silence. The idea of a vow of silence is a misunderstanding of "Monastic Silence," which establishes rules for when and where speaking is allowed in a monastery.
Monastic Silence is a practice observed by monks where silence is maintained during different parts of the day. Monks may speak when necessary but are expected to maintain a sense of quietness and prayer when talking.
Monastic Silence is believed to foster mindfulness of God and fraternal communion. It is seen as a way to deepen one's relationship with God and develop self-knowledge.
Yes, monks do speak to each other, but their conversations are limited. Monks may speak to convey necessary information for work, discuss spiritual matters with a director or confessor, or engage in community discussions.
No, there are no monastic orders that practice 100% silence. However, some orders, like the Cistercians, are known for being particularly silent.
