Question #3: Do you have a vow of silence?

Question: Do you have a vow of silence?

Answer:

No. There are some religions where members can take a vow of silence, but that does not exist in the Catholic Church. For us, words are sacred because they are meant to be echoes of the one Word of God who “became flesh and lived among us.” Because we worship the Word made Flesh, we greatly value silence. Silence, interior and exterior silence, is necessary for listening, and only a silent heart can hear the Word of God. As St. John of the Cross wrote, The Father spoke one word, who was His Son, and this He speaks always in eternal silence, and only in silence is it heard by the soul.” (Sayings of Light and Love, # 99)

Do you ever wonder what it is like to be a Carmelite Nun? To live in a cloister? To spend your days seeking the Face of God?

If you have any questions about Carmelite life, you are welcome to post them here. We will do our best to give an answer and we look forward to hearing from you!