We All Need a Carthusian Spirit in this World of NOISE, NOISE, NOISE!

Today is the feast of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusians. Did you see the film, Into Great Silence? If not, today would be a great day to watch it and to read about the life of St. Bruno. Our world of chaotic, diabolical disorientation needs silence. I will be watching this movie throughout my day as I take breaks from my household duties. I love the winter scenes particularly. They remind me of the silence that descends on the world with the snow. All is blanketed in silence. 

How important is it to enter into silence? 

Consider Screwtape's letter to Wormwood in chapter 22 of the Screwtape Letters. The text on noise is below the video, but I highly recommend listening to the reading by John Cleese. You can hear the venom of Satan who prowls the world seeking whom he can devour.

On Retreat with Brendan

I just returned from my annual five-day silent retreat using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. I asked my blogging partners, Susan and Chriss, to fill in for me while I was gone and they did a stellar job of it. Thanks Chriss and Susan! And, really, you need to post more often.

Having the time and freedom to retreat from the world is a great gift. Doing it in silence is an even greater gift! I think of the movie a few years ago, Into Great Silence, about life in a Carthusian Monastery where the monks live in profound silence offering their lives and work for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. What a blessing it is to be engulfed, even for a few days, in profound silence.

I was awake and walking one morning before sunrise and heard the birds in symphony as they welcomed the new day. The wind was blowing rustling the leaves. I felt like I was hearing God's voice as Elijah did in the small whispering sound which is often lost in our noisy world.