The Twelve Degrees of Silence of Sr. Marie-Aimee de Jesus, O.C.D.

Composed by: Sr. Caterina de Siena

Several friends and I are doing a summer book study on Robert Cardinal Sarah’s, The Power of Silence.  The Cardinal gives profound and challenging insights into silence that we may counter the world’s “dictatorship of noise.”  What is the purpose of an entire book dedicated to silence?   That we may learn to reside in the quiet of our hearts and to enter into union with God. 

Cardinal Sarah references The Twelve Degrees of Silence by Sr. Marie-Aimee de Jesus, O.C.D. (edited with Introductions and Reflections by Lucinda Vardey), a nineteenth century French Carmelite nun who wrote about her journey to union with God by being attentive to and practicing silence in many forms.  Sr. Marie-Aimee’s insights are brief, but very compelling.  Edith Stein, a.k.a. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, O.C.D., was so impressed with The Twelve Degrees of Silence that she wrote a treatise on it, drawing public attention to this mystical writing.

I would like reflect upon and present all Twelve Degrees of Silence in a blog series, setting out with the first degree of silence on the path to Divine Union - Silence in Words.  This silence challenges us to “speak less to the created and much to the Creator.”  Sr. Marie-Aimee recommends tuning out the world and its news in order to hear and listen to the quiet voice of God.  Lucinda Vardey provides wonderful reflections that are geared to achieving each of the twelve degrees of silence.  It is recommended to take one decree of silence per month to incorporate them into practice.

The book study group delineated the following steps to attain the first degree of silence which leads to more silent time for prayer:

• Turn off the television, radio, CDs, MP3s, computers, etc. in order to dispel the constant, noisy bombardments that are the antithesis of silence.  It is in silence that we may come to know how God may be speaking to our hearts in “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13).  We cannot hear God’s voice and bask in His Presence if chaotic noise and frantic hearts are the order of the day.  We are in the world, and cannot totally tune it out; however, we can create a quiet monastic cell within our hearts where we can retreat and commune with God.
• Tame the addiction to our phones by waiting at least five minutes before responding to those “notification pings.”  This helps us to gain the perspective that we are in charge of our actions and responses and that our phones or electronic devices do not own us.  Pick a specified time of the evening to “turn off the phone” and do not look at it until the following morning.  It is impressive to see how much time you now have for prayer!
• Slowly incorporate moments of silence into our daily routines so that we can enjoy the peace of God’s Presence that He wants us to experience.  Learn to appreciate a pre-dawn morning before everything springs to life or the quite stillness of the late evening when nature is resting.
• Realize that many distractions will come our way as we attempt to pray.  When a distraction presents itself, “don’t get on that ship.”  Imagine the distraction sailing by without giving it another thought.
• Vardey recommends asking yourself the following, “Do you really need to speak?” and “Is it possible to listen more?”  In other words, check the need for “adding your two cents” to a conversation.  You will be amazed at what a blessing it is to remain quiet and “just listen” to others.  This does not mean we become mute and never speak again.  We become more prudent in what we say and when.  A calm and peaceful heart that abides with God is the goal of silence.
• Speak only when required and make your speech meaningful and a blessing to others.
• Begin each day with Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” 

The more you practice these steps to silence, the more proficient you will become and the blessings of silence will be yours.  Sr. Marie-Aimee says, “God who is eternal, speaks only one Word…all our words, directly or indirectly, should express Jesus.” 
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May God bless your attempts at journeying to the Heart of Silence which is Divine Union.
The next degree of silence is Silence in Actions.
 
Twelve Degrees of Silence by Sr. Marie-Aimee de Jesus, O.C.D. is available at amazon.com.
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