Joshua Bennett
Catholic monks are known for their commitment to silence and solitude as a means of connecting with God and achieving spiritual purity. This practice, known as monastic silence, involves observing periods of silence throughout the day, with monks speaking only when necessary while maintaining a sense of prayerfulness. While it may be a part of a monk's formal vow of silence, it is not limited to those who have taken vows, as even laypeople can engage in this spiritual practice. The ancient discipline of silence is highly regarded in the Catholic faith, with monks seeking to Get to God, or get out! by prioritizing silence and solitude in their daily lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To become closer to God and achieve elevated states of spiritual purity |
| Practice | Observed during different parts of the day; monks talk when they need to but maintain a sense of silence or prayer when talking |
| Vow of Silence | Monks may take a formal vow of silence, but this practice can also include laity and novices |
| Rules | Apply to both vowed practitioners and non-vowed guests |
| Speech | Thoughtful and considerate of commonly held values |
| Quietness | Speaking in low voice tones |
| Spiritual Practice | Chanting of psalms, prayers, contemplation of God's mercy and love |
| Daily Routine | Rising at 11:30 pm to pray the Matins of Our Lady in his cell, community Mass, chanting of canonical hours, work, meals, walks, occasional community meetings |
| Solitude | 19 hours a day of solitude |
| Silence as Praxis | Silence is holy, a means to access God, to develop self-knowledge, or to live more harmoniously |
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What You'll Learn
- Monks observe silence during different parts of the day, speaking only when necessary
- Silence is a means to access God, develop self-knowledge, and live harmoniously
- Monks gather for daily community Mass and chanting, but otherwise live in solitude
- The Carthusian order has remained unchanged for 900 years, valuing silence, simplicity, and rigor
- Silence is a spiritual practice to become closer to God and achieve spiritual purity
Monks observe silence during different parts of the day, speaking only when necessary
Monastic silence is a spiritual practice observed by monks to achieve elevated states of spiritual purity and to become closer to God. While some monks take a formal vow of silence, others may choose to engage in periods of silence without taking vows. The practice of silence is observed during different parts of the day, with monks speaking only when necessary and maintaining a sense of prayerfulness or quietness in their speech.
A typical day for a monk involves rising at 11:30 pm to pray the Matins of Our Lady in his cell. Throughout the day, monks gather in the monastery church five times for vigils, lauds, midday prayer, vespers, and compline. These prayers fulfil St. Paul's admonition to "pray without ceasing." In between these prayers, monks may work on projects or have occasional conversations with other monks. However, the norm at all times is silence.
The practice of silence is not limited to Catholic monks and can be found in other religious traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Quakerism. For example, the Oxford Group, founded by Protestant evangelist Frank Buchman, emphasises the practice of a daily "quiet time" during which anyone can seek and receive divine guidance. Similarly, Quaker silent worship involves congregational silence rather than sermons or spoken prayer, allowing individuals to experience God's presence within them.
The benefits of monastic silence are also recognised by individuals outside of religious institutions. For instance, the popular film "Die Gro?e Stille" (Into Great Silence) captivated audiences worldwide by showcasing the lives of celibate men living in remote mountains in almost complete silence. This film indicated a widespread fascination with individuals who choose a life of solitude and silence.
Overall, the practice of monastic silence allows monks to focus on their spiritual growth and connection with God. By speaking only when necessary, monks create a sense of sacredness and contemplation in their daily lives.
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Silence is a means to access God, develop self-knowledge, and live harmoniously
Silence and solitude are integral aspects of monastic life, and while they may seem daunting or unappealing to some, they are essential for achieving spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. The practice of monastic silence is not unique to Catholicism, but it is more highly developed in the Roman Catholic faith than in Protestantism.
The practice of silence in monasticism is rooted in the belief that silence is a means to access God, develop self-knowledge, and live harmoniously. This idea is not new, as Theophilus, the patriarch of Alexandria, placed the virtue of silence on par with the Catholic faith itself in a synodal letter from AD 400. The silence doctrine can also be traced back to the Psalms attributed to David, where the importance of silence is emphasised.
Monastic silence is observed during different parts of the day, and monks may talk when necessary, but they maintain a sense of silence or prayer when speaking. This practice is not limited to monks who have taken vows of silence but also includes laity and novices preparing to take vows. The rules of silence apply to all members of the monastic community, including guests. This commitment to silence is a radical act of withdrawing from the noise and distractions of the modern world, allowing monks to focus on their spiritual journey and connection with God.
Through silence and solitude, monks strive to develop self-knowledge and a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. By cutting themselves off from external distractions and influences, they can explore their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs without interruption. This introspection leads to self-discovery and a clearer understanding of their purpose and meaning in life, which is centred around their devotion to God.
Monastic silence and solitude also contribute to living more harmoniously. By reducing external noise and distractions, monks can cultivate inner peace and harmony, which can extend beyond their individual lives to their interactions with others. Silence creates a sense of calm and unity within the monastic community, fostering a supportive and contemplative environment.
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Monks gather for daily community Mass and chanting, but otherwise live in solitude
Monks lead a life of solitude and silence, seeking to get closer to God and achieve spiritual purity. This practice of silence is observed during different parts of the day, with monks talking when necessary but maintaining a sense of silence or prayer when speaking. The rules of silence apply to both vowed monks and non-vowed guests.
The monks gather for daily community Mass and chanting, but otherwise live in solitude. The Carthusian monks, for example, live in complete silence for 19 hours a day, except on Sundays and holy days when the community gathers for a common meal. They also take walks together through the monastery grounds on Mondays and hold occasional community meetings. The monks' day is both simple and rigorous, beginning at 11:30 pm with prayers in their cells.
The ancient disciplines of the order, including silence, fasting, and hairshirts, have been maintained for 900 years. The Carthusian order has never undergone a reform, with monks proudly stating that it was "never deformed". The monks have, however, embraced the teachings of Vatican II, adding these documents to their approved spiritual reading list.
The practice of monastic silence is more highly developed in the Roman Catholic faith than in Protestantism, but it is not limited to Catholicism. It is also observed in the Orthodox Church, where silence is seen as a means to access God, develop self-knowledge, or live more harmoniously. The patriarch of Alexandria, Theophilus, placed great importance on silence, stating that "nothing at all is more important" than silence and the Catholic faith.
Monastic silence is a challenging spiritual journey, requiring restraint of speech and dedication to a life of solitude.
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The Carthusian order has remained unchanged for 900 years, valuing silence, simplicity, and rigor
The Carthusian order, founded by St. Bruno of Cologne in 1084 in the valley of Chartreuse, north of Grenoble, France, has remained unchanged for 900 years, valuing silence, simplicity, and rigor. The order combines the solitary life of hermits with a communal life within monastery walls. The monks spend 19 hours a day in complete solitude, with the focus of their life being contemplation. They live in individual cells, where they pray, meditate, study, eat, sleep, and work in their gardens. They only leave their cells daily for three prayer services in the monastery chapel, including the community Mass, and occasionally for conferences with their superiors. They also leave their cells once a week for a long walk in the countryside during which they are allowed to speak.
The Carthusian monks practice total abstinence from meat and fast on bread and water every Friday. Their single meal is deliberately simple, consisting of soup, a vegetable dish, and some form of egg or fish, without any sauce or spice. They wear simple habits—wool in the winter and cotton in the summer—and hairshirts. Their cells are unheated except for a wood stove that they maintain themselves.
The Carthusian order has never experienced a reform, and the monks proudly say it has never been necessary. Their way of life is one of shared solitude and silence, with a strong commitment to humility. The monks do not engage in pastoral or missionary work, and they do not have retreatants. Instead, those who visit for prolonged periods are people considering entering the monastery. The monks have limited contact with the outside world, and their days are structured around a simple and rigorous schedule.
The Carthusian way of life offers extraordinary rewards, but it is a rigorous path that few are called to follow. Their monasteries are typically hidden in remote mountain regions, and the order does not actively recruit new members. However, they continue to receive letters from men worldwide interested in exploring the life of solitude and silence that the Carthusian order embodies.
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Silence is a spiritual practice to become closer to God and achieve spiritual purity
Silence is a spiritual practice that has been recommended in a variety of religious traditions, including Catholicism. The practice of silence is observed during different parts of the day, and monks may talk when necessary but maintain a sense of silence or prayer when speaking. This practice is not limited to monks who have taken vows of silence but can also include laity and novices preparing to take vows.
The practice of silence is believed to bring one closer to God and to achieve elevated states of spiritual purity. Monks gather in their monastery church for daily community Mass and the chanting of the canonical hours, but for 19 hours a day, they live in complete solitude. On Sundays and holy days, the community gathers for a common meal, and on Mondays, they take a walk together through the monastery grounds. There are also occasional community meetings and conversations between monks working on projects, novices and novice-masters, and priors and laymen. However, the norm at all times is silence.
The ancient disciplines of the monastic orders, including silence, hairshirts, and fasts, have been maintained by monastic orders such as the Carthusians. The Carthusian order, founded by St. Bruno, has never experienced a reform, and the monks believe that it has never been necessary. The order's ancient disciplines and teachings continue to guide monks in their spiritual journey towards God.
Silence is also practised outside of the monastery, with laypeople incorporating periods of silence into their daily lives to seek divine guidance and a deeper connection with God. This practice is not limited to Catholics but has also found resonance with non-Christian religions. For example, Quaker silent worship involves congregational silence rather than sermons or spoken prayer, allowing participants to experience God's still, small voice leading them from within.
In conclusion, silence is a powerful spiritual practice that allows individuals to withdraw from the noise and distractions of everyday life and to cultivate a deeper connection with God. It is a practice that has been embraced by monks and laypeople alike, offering a path towards spiritual purity and a more harmonious existence.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic monks practice solitude and silence to worship God and develop self-knowledge. They believe that silence is a means to access God and that it fosters mindfulness of God and fraternal communion.
The daily routine of Catholic monks typically involves prayers, chanting of psalms and vigils. They gather in the monastery church for their daily community Mass and the chanting of the canonical hours. They also spend time in solitude, with some monks having limited communication with the outside world. Meals at the monastery are usually eaten in silence.
Yes, monastic silence can vary depending on the monastic order and their specific practices. For example, Trappist monks follow a commitment to silence, while Carthusian monks may talk amongst themselves from time to time.
Catholic monks may use simple hand signs or gestures for essential communication. Spoken conversations between monks are generally limited and follow the norms established by their monastic community.
Catholic monks believe that solitude and silence bring them closer to God and allow them to develop a deeper spiritual connection. It also provides them with a sense of liberation and peace, helping them to focus on their devotion to God and Mary.
