Why a Silent Retreat?

“Why a Silent Retreat?”

I hear this question often.

Sometimes silence makes me nervous!

If there is silence in a conversation, I quickly speak up.

If my room is silent, I turn on some music or a podcast.

What is silence?

Silence is a lack of sound, but it is more.

Silence is stillness. It is quiet. Silence allows me to hear.

I can hear my heartbeat. I can hear my breath.

I can hear the wind and the birds.

I can hear the Lord speaking to my heart.

The Bible speaks often of silence. “Fools, keeping silent, are

considered wise.” [Proverbs 17:28].

A great little joke! The advice: “Shhh! Keep your mouth shut and

people will think you are smart!”

True silence goes deeper. In Psalm 46, God commands us:

“Be still! Know that I am God!”

I chatter daily, to myself and to others. My mind is filled with little

opinions and observations, to-dos and judgements.

The voice of Jesus calls us to,

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place

and rest a while” [Mark 6: 31].

Come to Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House.

Here, in the quiet, you can hear the Lord speaking

to your heart.

“Come to the Quiet”

Fr. Joe Laramie, SJ