The Last Of The Holy Hours:Compline

[Bravo_6]

Is absolute silence observed after the hour of Compline for traditional religious?If so,why?

 

[OraLabora]

Is absolute silence observed after the hour of Compline for traditional religious?If so,why?

Well it certainly is a monastic tradition and for religious living in community. In the Rule of St. Benedict monks are to keep absolute silence after compline:

When all, therefore, are gathered together,
let them say Compline;
and when they come out from Compline,
no one shall be allowed to say anything from that time on.
And if anyone should be found evading this rule of silence,
let him undergo severe punishment.
An exception shall be made
if the need of speaking to guests should arise
or if the Abbot should give someone an order.
But even this should be done with the utmost gravity
and the most becoming restraint.

(Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 42)

 

[Rejoice_Always]

Is absolute silence observed after the hour of Compline for traditional religious?If so,why?

Sleep.

 

[sllhouette]

Is absolute silence observed after the hour of Compline for traditional religious?If so,why?

Yes. I have pondered why for some time.

I don’t actually know, but I can state my hypothesis. The line of the compline is “May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.”. I would guess that for the religious sleep is in someways a symbol or a reminder of death. Perhaps their silence is indeed to be compared to the silence of the dead. A reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. But in the morning, as the sun rises, they remember the resurrection and the first thing they do is praise God.

Hypothesis 2. Some people like quiet. Especially at night. ESPECIALLY in the morning.

 

[Rejoice_Always]

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Sometimes sleep is just sleep.

 

[Bravo_6]

Well it certainly is a monastic tradition and for religious living in community. In the Rule of St. Benedict monks are to keep absolute silence after compline:

(Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 42)

Thank you for your feedback.

 

[Bravo_6]

Yes. I have pondered why for some time.

I don’t actually know, but I can state my hypothesis. The line of the compline is “May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.”. I would guess that for the religious sleep is in someways a symbol or a reminder of death. Perhaps their silence is indeed to be compared to the silence of the dead. A reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. But in the morning, as the sun rises, they remember the resurrection and the first thing they do is praise God.

Hypothesis 2. Some people like quiet. Especially at night. ESPECIALLY in the morning.

Thank you,this seems very logical.