We Don’t Talk: Saint Bruno and Silence
Stat crux dum volvitur orbis – “The Cross is steady while the world turns” (motto of the Carthusian Order)
Saint Bruno (d. 1101), whose feast day is today, famously founded the contemplative Carthusian Order. The Carthusians are hermits living in a cloistered quasi-community, famously adhering to a vow of silence, and who to this day celebrate their own distinctive liturgical rite.
Of course, these days most of us can’t think of the name Bruno without also thinking about the movie Encanto and its catchy song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno“. There’s a joke in there somewhere about silence and not talking and Bruno, but I can’t quite work it out.
I first learned about Saint Bruno after watching the stunning documentary Into Great Silence. This film had a profound effect on me, which you might be able to suss out from my review.
In particular, it made me understand the idea and value of silence in a new way. I was particularly moved by a scriptural quote that I have often had recourse to in the years since.
And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
(1 Kings 19:11b-12)
The Lord was in that still, small voice. As He often is.
Over the years, I’ve written several essays here on the subject of silence – they are listed below – but somehow I have never written on this great saint. I still really haven’t, but I did read something of his life today that perhaps you will find as interesting as I did.
Bruno, with six of his friends, renounced the world, and betook himself to Hugh, bishop of Grenoble. On learning the cause of their coming, the bishop understood that they had been signified by the seven stars he had seen falling at his feet in his dream of the previous night. He therefore made over to them some wild mountains called the Chartreuse, belonging to his diocese, and himself conducted them thither.
After having there led an eremitical life for several years; Bruno was summoned to Rome by Urban II who had been his disciple.
In the great trials through which the Church was then passing, the Pontiff gladly availed himself of the saint’s prudence and knowledge for some years, until Bruno, refusing the archbishopric of Reggio, obtained leave to retire.
Attracted by the love of solitude, he went to a desert place near Squillace in Calabria.
(Dom Prosper Guéranger O.S.B., The Liturgical Year)
It was here that the saint died, aged about 70. There’s a lot to unpack in that little vignette of the saint’s life about perseverance, obedience, and sanctity.
Saint Bruno, pray for us!
Some thoughts on silence:
- Die Große Stille (2006) – a review of “Into Great Silence”
- Silence (2010)
- A Meditation on Silence (2010)
- A Catechesis on Silence (2012) – by Pope Benedict XVI
- Down in Adoration Falling (2016)
- Saint Benedict on Silence (2019)
- Into Lent (2020)
