Silence

In his book “Befriending St. Joseph: Finding Faith, Hope and Courage in the Seven Sorrows Devotion,” Deacon Greg Kandra was challenged to find a way to speak of — and perhaps for — this saint of silence.

“If you want a fresh start in 2023, make space for silence. This is how life was intended – before busyness became a badge of honor, before the advent of social media, named after the noise they make: Twitter, TikTok.”

“It reminds us how good it is for us to cherish moments of silence and prayer in our days, often overwhelmed by frenzy,” Pope Francis said.

“A newly canonized saint shows us a place of silence in these confused days. He went there for different reasons, not looking for silence but looking for people. He wanted to make a difference. And he did, though in his own lifetime it did not seem so.”

Two authors provided their insights on how to make Lent meaningful in 2022 — especially since this is the third Lent the church will observe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Joseph’s silence was “not mutism,” but a quality that allowed him to listen to the word and will of the Holy Spirit, the pope said during his weekly general audience Dec. 15.

“Sunday is about rest, but it’s a resting in the Lord, not just resting from activity,” says Michael Naughton of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

“Christian silence” is not about seeking a sense of emptiness or nothingness, but “is about presence. It is an encounter with Jesus.”