The Universal Church observes the Feast Day of the ‘Our Lady of Silence’ on August 1st. On this day, the Holy Mother reminds us to meditate on silence keep fingers on our lips and keep everything in our hearts. This feast day reminds us to imitate three things in our lives: silence, prayer, and meditation.
On this day, Pope Francis reminds the faithful that if we remain silent for a moment, we can discover what is around us and what is essential in our lives. Compassion is born from meditation. Calcutta V. Mother Teresa’s life also teaches us this. “The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace” -says Mother Teresa of Culcutta.
The Holy Mother teaches us that silence is a gift. At many times in her life, her mother remained silent. That silence was a great meditation, a prayer. Therefore, no matter how big the crisis in life, we should remain in the meditation of silence. Through her life, the Holy Mother reminds us that only through this we can achieve peace.
Our Lady of Silence: History
The picture of ‘Our Lady of Silence’ is the Holy Mother with her finger on her lips. It is designed in the traditional Byzantine style. This picture was painted after nine months of constant hard work by the nuns of the Benedictine order in Italy. This image stands as a warning to stay away from slander and gossip. Inviting us to inner silence, this image is a prophecy of silence for a noisy society. This picture highlights the relevance of silence and can be considered a prophecy for the future world.
Fr. Emiliano Antenucci, a Franciscan friar brought this picture to the world. When he saw it for the first time it seemed that the Holy Mother was specifically reminding the faithful of the importance of silence and meditation in life. He later led silent meditation sessions. Meanwhile, he showed this picture to the Pope. Pope Francis, loved this picture and kept a copy of it next to the elevator near the third loggia of the Apostolic Palace, where the Pope arrived every morning. Later, on 15 June 2016, Pope Francis blessed the Icon of Our Lady of Silence. He also wrote the message ‘Don’t talk bad about others on the back of the picture.
The world’s first Our Lady of Silence Shrine is located in Avezzano, Italy. A special prayer and Holy Mass will be held here on the auspicious day of 1 August. Cardinal Robert Sarah, the prefect of the Congregation approved liturgical propers on 1 November 2020.
There is also a special prayer to the Our Lady of Silence. The Mother of Silence bestows 12 virtues upon those who recite this prayer. Mother’s gifts are silence, attention, humility, joy, grace to listen to others, patience, balance, submission, constancy, purity, faith and mercy.
Consecration to Our Lady of Silence
Oh Virgin Mary, Mother of Silence,
I consecrate all of my life to you.
Deign to impress upon my heart the Heart of your Son Jesus,
who died and rose again for me.
In reply to the angel’s joyful annunciation, you said, “Fiat”;
at the wedding at Cana, you taught me to do everything the Lord tells me to do;
under the cross, you gave me an example of unity with Jesus
who was obedient to the Father.
Our Lady of Silence, channel of grace,
give me each day the grace of sincere conversion
and of stability in my vocation.
Mary, dew of divine Beauty,
reveal how you are a masterpiece of holiness,
created at the high price of the blood of Christ.
Oh Mary, Cathedral of Silence,
make this prayer resound in my heart:
“Be not afraid, because you are my child,
and you are loved by the heavenly Father.”
Holy Mary, lifeboat of souls, bridge between Heaven and Earth,
guide me, together with the angels and saints,
to build the kingdom of God on Earth,
so that I may live in the constant presence of the Most Holy Trinity
and desire, for others and for myself,
the Eternal peace and joy of the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Amen.