Silence Archives

Le Silence (detail from the Grave of Jacob Robles), Antione-Augustin Préault (1809–1879), 1842, scupture. Pere Lachaiese Cemetary. Wikimedia Commons.

Guarding the Tongue with the Virtue of Silence

St. Bonaventure

Silence is lauded by the saints as a virtue to help guide souls toward perfection. In Holiness of Life, Saint Bonaventure reveals silence as a

Saint Bruno, Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674), c. 1655, oil on canvas. Nationalmuseum, Sweden, photographed by Erik Cornelius / Wikimedia Commons.

Of the Love of Solitude and Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis is one of the most beloved spiritual writers in the Catholic Church. In this excerpt, taken from Solitude and Silence, the renowned

Saint Anne (detail), 8th Century, tempera on plaster. National Museum, Warsaw, photographed by Stanisław Lorentz, Tadeusz Dobrzeniecki, Krystyna Kęplicz, Monika Krajewska, 1990 / Wikimedia Commons.

Why Practice Silence?

St. Bonaventure

Many sins proceed from the man who cannot hold his tongue. The virtue of silence is one secret to sanctity that all souls should strive

Christ on the Mount of Olives, Josef August Untersberger (1864-1933). Wikimedia Commons.

Holy Advice for Contemplative Living

Thomas à Kempis

While every soul is called to a unique vocation, each is encouraged to embrace a contemplative life within their state of life. In Solitude and

King David in Prayer, Pieter de Grebber (circa 1600–1652/1653), c. 1635-1640, oil on canvas. Museum Caltharijneconvent / Wikimedia Commons

King David’s Holy Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Solitude and silence are two pillars of monastic life that most lay people consider too difficult, confusing, or irrelevant for their own vocation. Thomas à

Two Young Noblemen in the Cloister of a Monastery with Two Dominican Monks, Charles-Caïus Renoux (1795-1846). 1834, Oil on Canvas. Private Collection / Wikimedia Commons

Holy Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis’s Solitude and Silence presents two pillars of monastic life to people of any vocation. In this excerpt, à Kempis offers challenging advice