Hear Our Silence

Hear our Silence, a portrait of the Carthusians, tells of Skinner’s sojourn with the English Carthusians at Parkminster: a vivid insight into the daily routine of prayer, silence and solitude of these most austere hermit monks.

Published by Gracewing (www.gracewing.co.uk)

Sounding the Silence flows from Skinner’s on-going relationship with the Carthusians. A series of readings - one per week throughout the year - is accompanied by his experienced comments on the prayer of silence. Classically illustrated with the wood gravings of Robert Gibbins.

UK Gracewing             USA  Liturgy Training Publications

A modern rendering of England’s greatest mystic, the writings of Julian of Norwich, the first woman to write in the English language is also published by Gracewing in the UK

In the USA, Doubleday distribute a handsomely produced edition:

www.doubleday.com

The same company also publish Wisdom of the Cloister 365 daily readings from the greatest monastic writers.

Confession of Saint Patrick is a little known work by the great patron saint of Ireland - his autobiography telling of his conversion, escape from and return to the Island of his first love. Flowing translation from the original Latin with foreword by John O’Donohue.

The Book of Margery Kempe is the remarkable autobiography of a contemporary of Julian of Norwich. In complete contrast to Julian who keeps her anchorite cell in Norwich, Marjory travels Europe on pilgrimage and finally on to the Holy Land.

But she also journeys to Norwich where she seeks advice from Julian.

Doubleday, New York

I do not remember reading any papal encyclical with enthusiasm or even a great deal of interest. My father used to mention Rerum Novarum, Leo XIII’s great statement on social justice. I am certain he read that right through since he based all business relationships and his dealings with his employees entirely upon its principles of justice and fair play.

Until now encyclicals were what pope’s do; as dervishes whirl, so pontiffs have to write Latin texts to keep themselves in business.

Until now . . .

Who could have guessed as the world’s media dispersed last April, weary yet satisfied at a thoroughly theatrical circus played out to its conclusion, that this new man on St Peter’s balcony would wait nine months and then write his first encyclical on love.

‘In a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, this message is both timely and significant. I wish to speak of the love which God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others . . .

We have come to believe in God’s love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life.’

From his very opening, Benedict’s words invite and inform; you read on in mild disbelief that this can be an encyclical. If so, it is like none other. As readable as Jane Austen and ten times more rewarding.

Every one should take their opportunity to read the full text - see adjacent link. I defy anyone to repeat the rather dubious and tasteless Vatican city label with which the Daily Telegraph announced the pope’s election.

As John spoke of God’s love with his great rolly-polly body, Benedict speaks with a golden tongue. Here is a teacher and philosopher, father and theologian who speaks not just to his 1.1 billion membership but to the world at large.

‘I feel morally and intellectually obligated simply to concede that the death penalty experiment has failed.

It is virtually self-evident to me no that no combination of procedural rules or substantive regulations ever can save the death penalty from its inherent constitutional deficiences. The basic question - does the system accurately and consistently determine which defendants ‘deserve to die’ - cannot be answered in the affirmative. The problem is that the inevitability of factual, legal and moral error gives us a system that we know must wrongly kill some defendants, a system that fails to deliver the fair, consistent and reliable sentences of death required by the Constitution.’

[Callins v Collins 510 US 1141 1994]

Clarence Ray Allen has become the 13th inmate to be put to death since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977.Shortly after midnight Allen deceived a lethal injection of a paralytic agent in the death chamber at San Quentin State Prison. He was pronounced dead at 12:38 a.m.

At 76, Allen was the oldest inmate on California’s death row and the nation’s second-oldest convict to be executed since the U.S. Supreme Court declared capital punishment legal in 1976.

Allen petitioned for clemency on the grounds that his age and poor health made the death penalty a cruel and unusual punishment. He was confined to a wheelchair, was deaf and legally blind, and had diabetes and a variety of other medical conditions.