The Fate of 'Talkative Souls,' the Value of Silence - St. Faustina Tells us that talkative souls end up in hell
From the Diary of St. Maria Faustina, people who are condemned to hell for talking too much (loquacious means talkative or who talks a lot), these quotes and reflections are made by a priest.
Article from April 4, 2007.
The destiny of 'loquacious souls', the value of silence
In the diary of Saint Faustina: "Notebook 1, paragraph 118 of the Diary (says that) the souls were in hell because they did not practice silence. How can this be? How can anyone have the opportunity (to reach heaven ) if you can go to hell for being talkative?"
Before that, in the same Diary entry, entry 118, she writes about what she calls the importance of "inner silence," because without it we cannot hear God's voice, his inner inspirations and guidance. Surely, any soul, in religious life or not, that refuses to listen to God in the depths of its heart, will head down the path of eternal self-destruction.
This is what Saint Faustina refers to with those souls who are in hell for "not having kept silence."
Saint Faustina believed that inner silence was very important, and that it is too often neglected these days by those who lead busy and commotion-filled lives. I am referring, of course, to the need to keep times of external silence, to foster a deeper inner silence, a deeper listening to the call and impulses of God in our hearts.
Meditate for a moment on these entries from the Diary of Saint Faustina:
Entry 1008: March 1, 1937 The Lord let me know how displeased He is with a talkative soul. I don't find rest in a soul like that. The constant roar tires Me and in the midst of it the soul cannot discern My voice.
Entry 552: The Holy Spirit does not speak to a distracted and talkative soul. He speaks through his calm inspirations to a soul that is collected, to a soul that knows how to keep silent.
Entry 118: To hear the voice of God you must have silence in your soul and remain silent; not a gloomy silence but an inner silence; that is, collected in God. (As the Virgin Mary was always in recollection without neglecting her work as a Mother and wife)
Entry 477: Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will never achieve holiness. The sword of silence will cut everything that would cling to the soul. We are sensitive to words and want to respond quickly, without considering whether it is God's will for us to speak. A silent soul is strong; no adversity will harm you if you persevere in silence. The silent soul is capable of achieving a close union with God. Live almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent and unobstructed soul.
Saint Faustina sees talkativeness as the greatest obstacle to inner silence and listening to God. It is important to note that her advice in Her Diary should not be considered just her opinion, but rather as an essential part of a Christian's spiritual growth and holiness.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in entry #2628, tells us:
Worship is the first attitude of man recognizing that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the omnipotent power of the Savior who frees us from evil. Worship is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory", respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the God of love, thrice holy and sovereign, is mixed with humility and gives security to our supplications.
Or this from entry #2717:
Contemplative prayer is silence, a "symbol of the world to come" or "silent love." The words in this type of sentence are not speeches; They are like firewood that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable for the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us about the incarnate Word of him, who suffered, died and rose again; In this silence the Spirit of adoption allows us to share the prayer of Jesus.
But in our days, we have new external threats to cultivate inner silence that Saint Faustina did not face: the constant noise of television and radio, the constant din of traffic, air conditioners, refrigerators and a multitude of other machines that surround our lives. lives.
That's one of the reasons why taking regular retreats at Catholic retreat centers away from all the worldly "fuss" can help us calm down and open our hearts to God. It may not be practical for us when we are at home to turn off all the household appliances and there may be little we can do about the noise of outside traffic, but at least we can turn off the noise from the television and radio. as much as possible and decide to talk less and listen more.
Why not try this as an additional way to prepare our hearts for Holy Week, Easter and Mercy Sunday this year? Our Lord might have something to tell us deep in our hearts that He has been longing to share with us, if only we would be willing to listen.
Article from April 4, 2007.
The destiny of 'loquacious souls', the value of silence
In the diary of Saint Faustina: "Notebook 1, paragraph 118 of the Diary (says that) the souls were in hell because they did not practice silence. How can this be? How can anyone have the opportunity (to reach heaven ) if you can go to hell for being talkative?"
Before that, in the same Diary entry, entry 118, she writes about what she calls the importance of "inner silence," because without it we cannot hear God's voice, his inner inspirations and guidance. Surely, any soul, in religious life or not, that refuses to listen to God in the depths of its heart, will head down the path of eternal self-destruction.
This is what Saint Faustina refers to with those souls who are in hell for "not having kept silence."
Saint Faustina believed that inner silence was very important, and that it is too often neglected these days by those who lead busy and commotion-filled lives. I am referring, of course, to the need to keep times of external silence, to foster a deeper inner silence, a deeper listening to the call and impulses of God in our hearts.
Meditate for a moment on these entries from the Diary of Saint Faustina:
Entry 1008: March 1, 1937 The Lord let me know how displeased He is with a talkative soul. I don't find rest in a soul like that. The constant roar tires Me and in the midst of it the soul cannot discern My voice.
Entry 552: The Holy Spirit does not speak to a distracted and talkative soul. He speaks through his calm inspirations to a soul that is collected, to a soul that knows how to keep silent.
Entry 118: To hear the voice of God you must have silence in your soul and remain silent; not a gloomy silence but an inner silence; that is, collected in God. (As the Virgin Mary was always in recollection without neglecting her work as a Mother and wife)
Entry 477: Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will never achieve holiness. The sword of silence will cut everything that would cling to the soul. We are sensitive to words and want to respond quickly, without considering whether it is God's will for us to speak. A silent soul is strong; no adversity will harm you if you persevere in silence. The silent soul is capable of achieving a close union with God. Live almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent and unobstructed soul.
Saint Faustina sees talkativeness as the greatest obstacle to inner silence and listening to God. It is important to note that her advice in Her Diary should not be considered just her opinion, but rather as an essential part of a Christian's spiritual growth and holiness.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in entry #2628, tells us:
Worship is the first attitude of man recognizing that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the omnipotent power of the Savior who frees us from evil. Worship is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory", respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the God of love, thrice holy and sovereign, is mixed with humility and gives security to our supplications.
Or this from entry #2717:
Contemplative prayer is silence, a "symbol of the world to come" or "silent love." The words in this type of sentence are not speeches; They are like firewood that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable for the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us about the incarnate Word of him, who suffered, died and rose again; In this silence the Spirit of adoption allows us to share the prayer of Jesus.
But in our days, we have new external threats to cultivate inner silence that Saint Faustina did not face: the constant noise of television and radio, the constant din of traffic, air conditioners, refrigerators and a multitude of other machines that surround our lives. lives.
That's one of the reasons why taking regular retreats at Catholic retreat centers away from all the worldly "fuss" can help us calm down and open our hearts to God. It may not be practical for us when we are at home to turn off all the household appliances and there may be little we can do about the noise of outside traffic, but at least we can turn off the noise from the television and radio. as much as possible and decide to talk less and listen more.
Why not try this as an additional way to prepare our hearts for Holy Week, Easter and Mercy Sunday this year? Our Lord might have something to tell us deep in our hearts that He has been longing to share with us, if only we would be willing to listen.