Silence and Solitude

Silence and
Solitude
Sister Edith Bogue
Duluth Benedictine Oblates
10 December 2017

Agenda
• Welcome
• Midday Prayer
• Announcements
• Events
• Reflection on November meeting (10 minutes)
• Spiritual and Material – one or two?
• Impact and distractions of the material world
• Care of the material world (our common home)
• Theme: Silence and Solitude
• Silence in the Rule
• Where do we get Solitude?
• Solitude and Silence for Ministry
• Discussion
• Refreshments

Restraint in Speaking: Chapter
6
1 Let us do as the prophet says: I said, I will keep custody over
my ways so I do not sin with my tongue: I have kept custody over my
mouth. I became speechless, and was humbled, and kept silent
concerning good things (Ps 39:1-3). 2 Here the prophet shows that
if we ought to refrain even from good words for the sake of restraining
speech, how much more ought we to abstain from evil words, on
account of the punishment due to sin! 3 Therefore, on account of the
importance of restraint in speech let permission to speak be seldom granted even to perfect disciples, even
when their conversation is good and holy and edifying, 4 for it is written: In speaking much you cannot avoid
sin (Prov 10:19); 5 and elsewhere Death and life are in the hands of the tongue (Prov 18:21). 6 For speaking
and teaching befit the master: remaining silent and listening are proper for the disciple.
7 And therefore, if someting is requested of a superior, let it be requested with all humility and reverent
submission. 8 But as for ridiculing or otiose words which induce laughter, we permanently ban them in every
place; neither do we permit a disciple to open his mouth in such discourse.
THE RULE of ST. BENEDICT - Regula Sancti Benedicti tr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B.; Source Books (March 1997) ISBN-10: 0940147270
In this bilingual edition black typeface indicates text unique to Benedict: brown type indicates text common to both the Rule of Benedict and the Rule of the Master

Silence and Reading: Chapter 38
And total silence is to be kept, so that no
whispering or voice may be heard there except
that of the reader alone. 6 With regard to things
necessary for eating and drinking the brothers
are to minister to one another in turn, so that no
one need ask for anything: 7 If anything is
wanted, it should be asked for by some audible
sign rather than in words. 8 No one is to
presume there to ask any question about the
reading or anything else, lest occasion be given
(Eph 4:27; 1 Tim 5:4); 9 unless perhaps the
superior wishes to briefly say something edifying.

Silence after Compline: Chapter
42
1 At all times silence is to be studiously kept by
monks, especially during the hours of night. 2 And
this is to be the case in all seasons, whether fast
days or a days with a noon meal. … 8 when they go
out from Compline no one is allowed to say anything
further to anyone; 9 but if anyone is found evading
this rule concerning restraint of speech he is to be
severely punished, 10 unless the necessities of guests
supervened or the abbot gave someone a command:
11 but even this is to be done with the greatest
seriousness and proper moderation.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/religion-
monks-trappist_monks-silent_order-accident-monastry-
cst0083_low.jpg

Silence in the Oratory: Chapter 52
1 The oratory is to be what it is called, and nothing
else should be done or kept there. 2 When the Work
of God is finished all should go out in complete
silence and with reverence for God, 3 so that a
brother who wishes to pray by himself will not be
impeded by another’s insensitivity. 4 But if he wishes
to pray in solitude, he should enter to pray with
simplicity, not in a loud voice, but with tears and
attentiveness of heart. 5 And therefore one who is not
performing this work is not to be permitted to remain
in the oratory after the Work of God, so that, as was
said, no one else is impeded.

Solitude: Only two places
in the Rule
1 The oratory is to be what it is called, and nothing else
should be done or kept there. 2 When the Work of God
is finished all should go out in complete silence and
with reverence for God, 3 so that a brother who wishes
to pray by himself will not be impeded by another’s
insensitivity. 4 But if he wishes to pray in solitude, he
should enter to pray with simplicity, not in a loud voice,
but with tears and attentiveness of heart. 5 And
therefore one who is not performing this work is not to
be permitted to remain in the oratory after the Work of
God, so that, as was said, no one else is impeded.
http://www.touregypt.net/images/touregypt/
syrian35.jpg

Solitude: Cure for Serious Faults.
Chapter 25
1 But that brother who is guilty of a more serious
fault is to be suspended both from the common
table and from the oratory. 2 None of the brothers
may associate with him or engage him in
conversation. 3 Laboring in solitude at the work
enjoined on him, persisting in the sorrow of
penitence, he is to consider that dreadful sentence
of the apostle who says: 4 such a man is handed
over for the destruction of the flesh, so that the
spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (1 Cor 5:5).
5 And his meals are to be taken alone, in the
measure and at the hour the abbot considers best
for him: 6 he may not be blessed by any who pass
by, nor may the food be blessed that is given to him.
A Carthusian cell.
https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/solitarybird/12795686/305/305_original.jpg

Solitude
Quote: Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Image: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fc/d1/e6/fcd1e6740daadfd42d066230c89157b4.jpg
A brother came to Scetis
to visit Abba Moses and
asked him "Father, give
me a word."
The old man said to him
"Go, sit in your cell, and
your cell will teach you
everything."

Solitude
Quote: Vita Syncleticae. Image: https://sayingsoftheorthodoxfathers.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/syncletica.jpg
“There are many who live in the
mountains and behave as if they
were in the town, and they are
wasting their time. It is possible to
be a solitary in one's mind while
living in a crowd, and it is possible
for one who is a solitary to live in
the crowd of his own thoughts.”
Amma Synclectica

Isolation and Depression from WebMD
•In depression,
social isolation typically
serves to worsen the illness
and how we feel," Ilardi says.
•"Social withdrawal amplifies
the brain's stress response. ...
•The Fix: Gradually counteract
social withdrawal by reaching
out to your friends and family. https://cdn1.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/008/8933/depressed-woman.jpg

Solitude in preparation for action
• Contemplation is first about learning how to
be and surrendering our very being to God’s grace.
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10).
• Before I can act, I need to know that it is good
simply to be myself before God, loved as a person
with both gifts and faults.
• Yet we often wonder: does God want this quality of
mine or that desire? Does God love my beauty and
my mess?
• Fr. Walter Burghardt, SJ, said that contemplation is
taking a “long, loving look at the real.”
• But before I can take that long look of love at
anyone or anything else, I have to allow God to take
a long and loving look at me.

For January
•Inventory your silence
(auditory and visual)
• Background sound
• Conversation versus chatter
• “Leave even good words unsaid…”
• Are there times when you are silent
and realize you should be speaking?
•Inventory your solitude
• Isolation versus Companionship
• Are there times and places of service?
• Solitude to be ready to help others

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