The Call of Silent Love (Paperback)

by A Carthusian (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A vocation is an extremely mysterious reality. The call of God is not something extrinsic; it penetrates to the most intimate centre of the heart. We are what we are on account of this call. The Call of Silent Love is a profound and eloquent examination of the twin themes of vocation and discernment in which the father-master speaks about the nature of a calling, and the interanl and external struggles, the discernment of spirits and the overall framework in which we live our lives. 'The reader is faced with a rare and compelling account of Carthusian spirituality that is simple, sustaining and inviting - to every Christian.' (The Tablet) Other books of classic Carthusian spirituality published by Gracewing include The Prayer of Love and Silence, They Speak by Silences and The Wound of Love.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gracewing Publishing (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0852446713
• ISBN-13: 978-0852446713
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #201,584 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God is the eternal fidelity of a perpetually new love, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Call of Silent Love (Paperback)

A delicious journey through the monastic cloister that conduces to heaven is what can be said of this work. It gives a complete idea of what vocation discernment should be, by this spiritual conferences to novices. It shows how the reality of monasticism is not being away of the flesh or the earthly realities, but a complete use of body and heart, will and spirit in the desert of Chartreuse. But this complete use of body and soul has a goal: God, the sense and plenitude of life, making a life to have ilimited form. Monasticism descripted in The Call of Silent Love has the character of renouncement to obtain a bigger goal: union with God alone in Christ. Here, God, take us to the desert, in solitude to hear His voice only, in fact this solitude is apparent because His love is always full of something new, of crosses, of tribulation, an image of His Passion, a reflexion of His Love, a prefiguration of our eternal beatitude.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Formation talks to Carthusian novices, June 21, 2007

By	Elizabeth (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This book is translated from "conferences" (talks) given to novices in recent years at a Carthusian monastery in France. It is an introduction to living the Carthusian monastic life: the theology of the monastic vocation, goals and attitudes a monk should have, and the discernment and psycho-spiritual skills he will need in order to thrive in the monastery. It incorporates wisdom from scripture, early Christian sources such as the Desert Fathers, the monastic tradition, and modern psychology (and one quote from "The Little Prince"). I especially like the section of practical guidance in "discernment of spirits" and remedying various monastic vices (or "demons" as they were characterized in the desert tradition)--for instance avarice, anger, sadness, acedia (boredom/discouragement), pride, etc. In my opinion it is quite good. Psychological maturity in the modern sense is also discussed in a way that relates to monastics.

The book is substantive and very well done and I believe I will refer back to it. I loaned it to a friend who also loves the Carthusians and he seemed to relish it and be edified. I think this book can give a more balanced and realistic idea of Carthusian life to those attracted to the extreme aspects, as well as give some wise guidance for spiritual and emotional balance, especially for those in a relatively solitary lifestyle.