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There is no denying that we live in a noisy world. Thanks to technology and the constant stream of information and news bombarding our senses, many of us have a difficult time even understanding the meaning, let alone the importance, of silence.

But true silence–interior silence– is essential for prayer and our pursuit of holiness; for, as St. Mother Teresa said, it is in silence that the Lord speaks. 

The Power of Silence

There is something sacred about silence. It is not merely an absence of noise, but rather a manifestation of God.

In Scripture we see that it is in silence that the Presence of God is revealed. In 1 Kings, for instance, we read about Elijiah’s profound encounter with God:

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.  Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ (1 Kings 19:11-13, emphasis added).

Similarly we know that Jesus regularly withdrew from the crowds to solitary places for prayer and communion with the Father. 

Silence, therefore, is not only a space for quiet reflection but a sacred avenue for encountering the living God. It allows us to nurture our spiritual growth, listen attentively to God’s voice, and enter into a deeper communion with Him. 

What the Saints said about Silence

“It is best to learn to silence the faculties and to cause them to be still so that God may speak.” St. John of the Cross

“In silence, one awakens from his sleep; all souls are sleepwalkers, their eyes shut against the noble lives they ought to lead. As a sleepwalker will not awaken to every sound but will often respond when his name is called, so the soul in silence hears the Divine vocation and awakens: for the Shepherd calls His sheep by name.” Ven. Fulton Sheen

“Silence is the doorkeeper of the interior life.” St. Josemaria Escriva

“Listen in silence, because if your heart is full of other things you cannot hear the voice of God.” St. Teresa of Calcutta 

“Silence is necessary, and even absolutely necessary. If silence is lacking, then grace is lacking.” St. Maximilian Kolbe

How to Cultivate Silence

As many of us don’t live a monastic life, silence may seem hard to come by; however, there are many ways to cultivate silence in your life even as a busy layperson.

1. Hold your tongue: Learning to keep a physical silence helps to cultivate an interior silence. Of course, avoid gossip, complaining, or criticizing but there may also be times, as St. Benedict writes in His Rule, where “good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence.” Practice speaking less and listening more in your daily life, so you may bring this skill with you to prayer. 

2. Carve out moments of silence in your day: Resist the urge to fill every moment of your day with content and noise. Turn off the radio in the car, close your computer before bed in the evening, and avoid mindlessly scrolling on your phone throughout the day. Embrace moments of silences as they present themselves. 

3. Ask for God’s Grace: No matter how hard we try to cultivate the skill of silence, it can still be difficult to practice. Ask God for a heart that listens to His voice and the ability to recognize His presence.