OUR LADY OF SILENCE is a relatively unknown Marian icon. If you would view it you would see our Blessed Mother has her finger pressed to her closed lips depicting the importance of silence. You would see her mouth is small and closed to indicate her spirit of silence and prayer. Mary’s eyes are large as they look upon all of us and are always turned toward God. In her own quiet stillness she is saying: BE QUIET AND LISTEN.
This Advent OUR LADY OF SILENCE has become the focus of my meditation on Mary as a woman of grace, wisdom, peace, silence and prayer. In past Advent meditations, I have been present (in imaginative prayer) at the Annunciation, companioned Mary on her visit to Elizabeth, journeyed to Bethlehem, celebrated the love between Mary and Joseph. This Advent I am sitting in the presence of Mary as OUR LADY OF SILENCE. What was her profound silence and quiet presence during the nine months she carried Jesus in her womb?
As I place myself in Mary’s presence, her whole being directs my gaze toward Jesus. At the moment of His conception Mary felt Him move deep within her. In profound inner stillness and quietude her heart began to beat in rhythm with His. Her womb became a silent, sacred and safe space for Jesus. With gentle words, loving touch and soft songs, Mary often caressed her pregnant stomach and assured Jesus of her faithful and eternal love…a love beyond words. Her womb protected Jesus from all outside noise, confusion, chaos and unrest. For nine months Mother and Son gazed upon each other in stillness, quietude and love. Mary treasured this precious time and held it deep in the silence of her heart.
During these days of Advent, OUR LADY OF SILENCE draws me to herself. She speaks to me: “Be quiet and listen. Be quiet and silence your heart. Feel the movement of Jesus deep within you. Be quiet and listen to Jesus speaking within you. Be quiet and speak to Jesus. Be quiet and for a while each day remove yourself from the noise of empty chatter and frenzied activity, chaos and unnecessary distractions. Be quiet and pray.
MARY, OUR LADY OF SILENCE, PRAY FOR US!
– Sandy Setterlund
To see the icon of Our Lady of Silence, click here.
Sandy, thank you for the beautiful reflection. I found it very spiritual today!
How beautiful, Sandy, thank you. Such a great reminder of how profound silence can be for us. (This is the first time I have learned about Our Lady of Silence, thank you for the introduction).
Thank you for this! As I have attended Mass this Advent I have been taking deliberate steps to quiet my mind and enter fully into the liturgy before it begins. I have found great peace in this! I was especially moved by a hymn I never heard before titled “Patience, People”. It speaks to what you write here! Thank you again.
Beautiful! Thank you for this clear reflection into the relationship between Mary and Jesus. I love the icon! It leads us into this relationship that she had. And with her, teaches us how to pray through Advent. May Jesus fill our hearts as he did Mary’s. The icon gently shows us the way. Thank you!