The Sound of Silence

This past Thursday we had our first Day of Recollection. It was led by Bishop Paul Walsh, an auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre. Many have wondered, based on my last post, how one handles the silence, especially me!

We began on Wednesday night with a talk and then a Holy Hour. After that, we were asked to be quiet. As big as the seminary building is, you could tell the difference. On Thursday, we spent the whole day in silence. Bishop Walsh offered two additional talks about the Eucharist that gave us much to think about - and the silence gives you plenty of time to think! He challenged us to look at the Eucharist as a reminder that we are "wired for God" and the meal that we share at Mass "must always lead to mission". He called on us to enjoy the Eucharist as it repairs and re-energizes us.

Beyond the talks, we could use the silence to read, journal, walk around the grounds and sort of get some time to let things process. We even ate meals in silence. Even that experience forced us to reflect on what we were eating and even to consider where it came from and how much food we really need to eat in our lives. So it was a day of reflection on many levels.

The truth this is the third experience of silence I've experienced in the past few months. This past summer, I spent a week with the Camaldolese Benedictines in Big Sur, CA. It was a week of mostly silence -with some conversation with the monks at meals. My life here at the seminary began with a three day retreat on the psalms led by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. I have to say with all the apprehension of entering into these experiences they were wonderful....definitely something for each of us to try at some point.

So we're on to week 2 of "The Seminarian Sent Forth". I have some ideas of future postings, but if you have some ideas for future posts, please e-mail me and let me know.

Let's continue to pray for and with each other!