"The Spirit of God is a spirit of peace, and he speaks and acts in peace and gentleness, never in tumult and agitation. What’s more, the motions of the Spirit are delicate touches that don’t make a great noise and can penetrate our spiritual consciousness only if we have within ourselves a sort of calm zone of silence and peace. If our inner world is noisy and agitated, the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit will find it very difficult to be heard. If we want to recognize and follow the Spirit’s motions, it is of the greatest importance to maintain a peaceful heart in all circumstances." — Fr. Jacques Philippe

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Whoever cultivates the spirit of silence acquires wisdom and attains to peace of heart.  In the individual soul silence develops strength and power.  In groups of persons joined together, whether naturally as in the family, or by vocation as in religion, where this spirit of silence is observed, fervor reigns, peace resides, all bitterness and uncharitableness disappear, and the works done are fruitful and blessed by God. ~ Father Edward Leen, C.S.SP.

“Can those who do not know silence ever attain truth, beauty, or love? Do not wisdom, artistic vision, and devotion spring from silence, where the voice of God is heard in the depth of the human heart?” ~ Cardinal Sarah

You Are Mine

Authentic silence is not emptiness. Things come to us in the silence. We hear new languages. We are visited by penetrating peace, insight, God Himself, His wisdom, light, His perception and understanding. In authentic silence we hear new sounds and enter new worlds. In silence we come to know our own hearts." ~ Sister Anne Marie Walsh

I used to think when people were silent they had nothing to say, until I realized they were probably just listening to their hearts.

~ Fr. John H. Kappe, Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston

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"A life without a lonely place, that is, a life without a quiet centre, easily becomes destructive. When we cling to the results of our actions as our only way of self-identification, then we become possessive and defensive and tend to look at our fellow human beings more as enemies to be kept at a distance than as friends with whom we share the gifts of life...It is in solitude that we can discover that being is more important than having and that we are worth more than the results of our efforts...In solitude we become aware that our worth is not the same as our usefulness." ~ Henri Nouwen, Show Me The Way

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