The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his searching glance is on mankind. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.

Psalm 11: 4, 7

Silence gives the space to hear God speak, whether through words we hear within or through a movement of love or an answer to a question.

Silence itself also speaks.

St. Paul writes of the Spirit, who “intercedes with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). In silence, we can hear our own sighs for God and know that the silence of God is part of God’s also sighing for us—and for all creation.

This year, as a part of my formation to become a certified Spiritual Director, I made a 30 Day Directed Silent Retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Broom Tree Retreat Center in Irene, South Dakota.

To explain briefly, the Spiritual Exercises are a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help deepen our relationship with God.

Two particular practices that a retreatant can expect to come across during an Ignatian silent retreat are lectio divina and the Examen. Lectio divina is a method of slowing reading over and praying with the Scriptures. The Examen is a daily practice that calls us to stop and take time to reflect over the day, asking ourselves how God has been working in our life up to this moment. 

The silence of the retreat provides an opportunity to still the mind, body, and heart and to listen deeply.

By maintaining interior silence through conscious effort, you open yourself up to the movements of the Holy Spirit and make space to hear the still small voice of the Lord. The heart of the lgnatian Retreat involves spending four or five prayer periods each day in meditation on scripture. Thus the real director of an lgnatian Retreat is the Holy Spirit.

The retreat is marked by a complete silence, as there are no common prayers or devotions outside of Mass and Exposition, and no social time as even the meals are taken in silence to continue the reflection and prayerful atmosphere. Retreatants journal about each of their prayer times and the movements that occurred there, so that when they meet with the director, they can be given guidance and appropriate scripture passages for their meditation.

Many have asked since my return what the experience was like for me. It has been difficult to articulate such an intimate time spent with the Lord for 30 days, but I do feel the Holy Spirit provided His Words to give a worthy explanation:

“Grace asked for. Grace Poured out.”

If we approach the time with an open heart and a willingness to rest in His loving gaze, God really does speak to us in the silence. Are you willing to discover what God wants to reveal to you in the silence?

One of the most beautiful gifts of the Silent time spent with God is that the graces received truly do live on well beyond the time they are received.

I do hope you will meet Him there in the silence, too.

hugs n’ blessings for when you do!