The Power of Silence in Religious Life and Communities

The Power of Silence in Religious Life and Communities

Authors

  • Anthony Dang Thai Thiet, SVD Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2612-8719
  • Dominic Dinh Cao Huy, SVD Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam
  • Andre Nguyen Van Binh, O.Cist Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam
  • Beda Tran Van Dau, O.Cist Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam
  • John Baptist Ngo Van Phuong, CSC Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam
  • Peter Nguyen Hong Son, CSC Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/csl.25524
Citations

Keywords:

Silence, community life, religious members

Abstract

This article focuses on the significance of silence in religious life and examines the current situation in three religious congregations present in Saigon. Based on a survey of 50 brothers, the majority (94%) reported maintaining a life of silence within their religious communities. However, only 73% were able to observe it according to the Rule or better. The reasons include an unstructured rhythm of daily life leading to a lack of alertness, and external influences from the environment, academic studies, or communal work. To address this issue, the article proposes several approaches while affirming that silence is a powerful force that helps religious members grow in their vocation. Each religious person must recognize the importance of silence and develop concrete methods to maintain it so that their relationship with God and others may flourish.

Author Biographies

  • Anthony Dang Thai Thiet, SVD, Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

    Anthony Dang Thai Thiet is a brother of the Society of the Divine Word. He is also a student of Philosophy 1 at the Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam.

  • Dominic Dinh Cao Huy, SVD, Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

    Dominic Dinh Cao Huy is a brother of the Society of the Divine Word. He is also a student of Philosophy 1 at the Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam.

  • Andre Nguyen Van Binh, O.Cist, Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

    Anre Nguyen Van Binh is a brother of the O. Cist. He is also a student of Philosophy 1 at the Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam.

  • Beda Tran Van Dau, O.Cist, Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

    Beda Nguyen Van Dau is a brother of the O. Cist. He is also a student of Philosophy 1 at the Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam.

  • John Baptist Ngo Van Phuong, CSC, Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

    John Baptist Ngo Van Phuong is a brother of the Hue Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is also a student of Philosophy 1 at the Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam.

  • Peter Nguyen Hong Son, CSC, Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam

    Peter Nguyen Hong Son is a brother of the Hue Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is also a student of Philosophy 1 at the Saint Alphonsus Theologate, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vietnam.

References

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Published

10-06-2025

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): Faith Practices

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Antôn Đặng Thái Thiết, SVD, Đaminh Đinh Cao Huy, SVD, Anrê Nguyễn Văn Bình, O.Cist, Bêđa Trần Văn Đậu, O.Cist, Gioan Baotixita Ngô Văn Phương, CSC, Phêrô Nguyễn Hồng Sơn, CSC

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How to Cite

Dang, T. T., & Dinh, C. H., & Nguyen, V. B., & Tran, V. D., & Ngo, V. P., & Nguyen, H. S. (2025). The Power of Silence in Religious Life and Communities. Catholic Science & Life, 5(2), 57-66. https://doi.org/10.54855/csl.25524