Holy Rule for May 25
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St. Mary's Monastery
May 24, 2026, 6:47:22 PM (5 days ago) May 24
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 24, May 25, September 24
Chapter 6: On the Spirit of Silence
Let us do what the Prophet says: "I said, 'I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth...' I was mute and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps.38:2-3). Here the Prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to refrain even from good speech, so much the more ought the punishment for sin make us avoid evil words.
Therefore, since the spirit of silence is so important, permission to speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples, even though it be for good, holy edifying conversation; for it is written, "In much speaking you will not escape sin" (Prov. 10:19), and in another place, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). For speaking and teaching belong to the mistress; the disciple's part is to be silent and to listen. And for that reason if anything has to be asked of the Superior, it should be asked with all the humility and submission inspired by reverence. But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter, these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban, and for such conversation we do not permit a disciple to open her mouth.
REFLECTION
Words are not always a blessing. In the absence of silence, basically meaningless rituals of speech may actually serve as distancers, shorthand acknowledgement of others with the unspoken agreement that "Sufficient token attention has been paid, now leave me alone!" I'm not saying all such rituals are empty, they aren't, but many of us have a few that really could be examined.
When we are alone is the best and easiest time to cultivate silence. Turn off the car radio, temporarily (or even permanently!) kill your television. Switch on the answer phone and turn the volume down. Examine all the areas where you have added noise you truly do not need.
Why? Because noise is usually added as distraction, and distraction is what the monastic doesn't want. We don't want our focus scattered, because our work is to be looking at the very unlovely things in our deepest self that distraction helps us deny or ignore. We have a lifelong self-scrutiny and that requires a lot of dumping the stuff people generally employ to avoid such truthful self-confrontation.
Even boredom- another reason we add noise- can be trotted out under its old monastic name of "accidie" and teach us lots. In the desert of boredom, one can confront the lackluster self! No wonder we hate it!
Some family experimentation might be possible, but never push others into your choice of monastic style. It will do them and you a great disservice. Anything attempted here must be done with consent of all and without being doctrinaire, especially if there are children involved.
With families, great care must be taken and often silence may not be possible. Always remember that one's children and spouse have a higher moral claim on one's vocation than Oblation does. The will of God will come to you more clearly through your marriage or parenthood than it will from any secondary source, including the Holy Rule.
It may be hard for you to find silence in your life. Always remember that there is great asceticism in the acceptance of noise we wish we could avoid. Always remember that there is a hermitage of deep peace and serenity in every heart, but you must build it with God's help.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 24, May 25, September 24
Chapter 6: On the Spirit of Silence
Let us do what the Prophet says: "I said, 'I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth...' I was mute and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps.38:2-3). Here the Prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to refrain even from good speech, so much the more ought the punishment for sin make us avoid evil words.
Therefore, since the spirit of silence is so important, permission to speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples, even though it be for good, holy edifying conversation; for it is written, "In much speaking you will not escape sin" (Prov. 10:19), and in another place, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). For speaking and teaching belong to the mistress; the disciple's part is to be silent and to listen. And for that reason if anything has to be asked of the Superior, it should be asked with all the humility and submission inspired by reverence. But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter, these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban, and for such conversation we do not permit a disciple to open her mouth.
REFLECTION
Words are not always a blessing. In the absence of silence, basically meaningless rituals of speech may actually serve as distancers, shorthand acknowledgement of others with the unspoken agreement that "Sufficient token attention has been paid, now leave me alone!" I'm not saying all such rituals are empty, they aren't, but many of us have a few that really could be examined.
When we are alone is the best and easiest time to cultivate silence. Turn off the car radio, temporarily (or even permanently!) kill your television. Switch on the answer phone and turn the volume down. Examine all the areas where you have added noise you truly do not need.
Why? Because noise is usually added as distraction, and distraction is what the monastic doesn't want. We don't want our focus scattered, because our work is to be looking at the very unlovely things in our deepest self that distraction helps us deny or ignore. We have a lifelong self-scrutiny and that requires a lot of dumping the stuff people generally employ to avoid such truthful self-confrontation.
Even boredom- another reason we add noise- can be trotted out under its old monastic name of "accidie" and teach us lots. In the desert of boredom, one can confront the lackluster self! No wonder we hate it!
Some family experimentation might be possible, but never push others into your choice of monastic style. It will do them and you a great disservice. Anything attempted here must be done with consent of all and without being doctrinaire, especially if there are children involved.
With families, great care must be taken and often silence may not be possible. Always remember that one's children and spouse have a higher moral claim on one's vocation than Oblation does. The will of God will come to you more clearly through your marriage or parenthood than it will from any secondary source, including the Holy Rule.
It may be hard for you to find silence in your life. Always remember that there is great asceticism in the acceptance of noise we wish we could avoid. Always remember that there is a hermitage of deep peace and serenity in every heart, but you must build it with God's help.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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