Silence and Speaking Freely

Silence and Speaking Freely, Sabino Chialà, Translated by John McAreavey. Liturgical Press (ISBN: 9798400803048) 2026.

Summary: A translation of two talks by a monastic prior on what it means to live in an integrity of silence and speech.

We live in a society that finds silence difficult and often speaks carelessly or hurtfully. Yet learning to practice silence to know both ourselves and God and speaking with a conscience-tested integrity are both part of authentic spirituality. In addition, the two of these are deeply connected. These are key ideas of this concise book, consisting of translations of two talks by the prior of the Monastery of Bose, Br. Sabino Chialà. Chialà draws on the monastic tradition and the writing of the Desert Fathers to reflect deeply on both silence and speech.

First, he addresses the ambiguity of silence. There are good and bad silences. In silence we may conceal fear, contempt, or deception. True silence is an openness to humbly receive. Through silence, we attend to our interior lives, to the word of God, to prayer, to discernment, to suffering, and to God, who sometimes is silent with us, or is present in our silence. But silence is a struggle, most significantly with the fear of encountering ourselves. Yet we are encouraged to persist to where God give true silence. Quoting George Bernanos, he reminds us “Keeping silent, what a strange expression! Silence keeps us.”

Then, the second talk turns to “thinking and speaking.” Chialà begins with an extended reflection on conscience, urging the recovery of its use, as the basis of our speech. Pope Francis describes conscience as “the interior place for listening to the truth, to goodness, for listening to God; it is the inner place of my relationship with the one who speaks to my heart and helps me to discern, to understand the way I must take and, once the decision is made, to go forward, to stay faithful.” One recognizes the connection between silence and the exercise of conscience. Furthermore, Chialà grounds his discussion of conscience in a biblical theology of conscience.

When we speak from a clear, discerning conscience, we are able to speak with freedom. For Chialà, this involves parrhesia, which translates as sincere, free, and truthful speech. Once again, Chialà grounds his ideas in an extensive biblical survey, culminating with Christ. Parrhesia is humble, grounded in relationship, and respectful of persons. But it is not fearful. Rather, it trusts in God.

In conclusion, Sabino Chialà offers vital reflections for living spiritual lives of integrity. Silence provides the place for us to discern, to exercise conscience before God. Out of this comes speech that is good, true, and free. In addition, the coupling of these practices forms us as people who attend to God and his Word, and out of this speak lifegiving words.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.