From Silence to Silence: A Benedictine Pilgrimage to God’s Sanctuary

by Fr. Francis Bethel OSB

In From Silence to A Benedictine Pilgrimage to God’s Sanctuary, Fr. Francis Bethel, OSB, a Benedictine monk from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma, draws from the centuries-old monastic tradition of prayer and his own personal experience to provide a spiritual guide for Catholics who want to silence the distracting noise of this fallen world to hear more clearly the quiet or “silent” voice of God. To understand and partake in the divine mysteries requires that we block out the cacophony of disruptions that plague our lives and separate us from God.

The modern world conspires against silent contemplation by drawing our attention away from God. In response, From Silence to Silence helps readers first establish an interior silence—what the author calls an “interior receptive calm” and then proceeds toward developing a relationship with God’s silence by meditating on several divine mysteries. Intended for both laity and religious, the book seeks to help readers foster a healthy prayer life. The essence of the spiritual life involves the exercise of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. These are achieved by practicing the moral virtues which, in turn, help cultivate silence in the soul.

By removing the noise from their lives, exercising the moral virtues that are a prerequisite for the spiritual life, and cultivating a rich life of prayer, readers will be better able to nurture silence in their soul so that they can better believe, desire, and love God.

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2025

Reviews

[Larissa Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing I can say to do justice for anything written by Father Bethel - this book is a great ‘Rule of Benedict for dummies’ - that’s not to diminish the complex subject Fr. Bethel is addressing which is ‘how to achieve Silence (not silence) as laity/ in our daily life’. It’s a wonderful book that expanded on my understanding of the why so many brilliant people like St Thomas Aquinas and John Senior (Fr Bethel’s teacher) studied before today. I think anyone at any degree of understanding of philosophy/ theology could pick this up and walk away with a sense of what it is like to live as the monks at Clear Creek Abbey live.

[Casan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just what I was looking for. For some time, I’ve been looking for a book on spirituality and the monastic life. This book was the closest to what I’ve been searching for. It’s great. It dives deep into spirituality, theology, and prayer life.