Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/476

 fervor. In his  rules  for  nuns,  St.  Basil  insists,  not  once, but frequently,  on  silence. St. Benedict  commanded  his monks to  endeavor  to  observe  continual  silence.

And experience  shows  that  in  the  monastery  in  which silence is  observed,  discipline  is  maintained;  and  on  the other hand,  where  silence  is  neglected,  but  little  fervor is found. Hence few  religious  become  saints,  because few love  silence. In many  monasteries  the  rule  of silence  is  prescribed  by  the  written  rules,  and  is  strongly recommended; but  some  of  the  religious  appear  not  to know  what  silence  is,  and  therefore  they  unhappily  live in dissipation,  without  fervor,  and  always  in  trouble. But, dear  sister,  do  not  imagine  that  the  negligence  of others  will  excuse  or  exempt  you  from  the  rule  of  silence. Blessed Clare  of  Montefalco  used  to  say  that  in  the  time of silence  it  is  difficult  to  speak  without  committing  a fault.

Some one  may  excuse  herself,  saying,  that  it  is  sometimes necessary  to  speak  in  order  to  get  rid  of  melancholy; but  how  can  the  violation  of  silence  free  a  religious from  melancholy? Let us  be  persuaded  that  all the creatures  on  earth  or  in  heaven  cannot  console  us  in our  afflictions. God alone  is  the  author  of  consolation; but will  he  console  us  at  the  very  time  we  offend  him? But when  there  is  any  necessity  for  speaking  in  the  time of silence,  at  least  ask  permission. Another religious  does not seek  occasions  to  speak,  but  as  often  as  they  are presented she  allows  herself  to  be  led  into  breaches  of silence  by  others  who  wish  to  speak. But her  condescension will  certainly  not  excuse  her  from  the  fault. It is  necessary,  then,  to  do  violence  to  yourself,  and  to go  away,  or  to  remain  silent,  and  sometimes  by  putting the finger  on  the  mouth  to  make  a  sign  that  it  is  a  time of silence.

And  even   out   of   the   hours   of    silence   endeavor  to