Praise for "Befriending Silence"

Now Featured in the Patheos Book Club
Befriending Silence
Discovering the Gifts of Cistercian Spirituality
by Carl McColman

"Drawing on his personal experience and expansive knowledge, Carl McColman skillfully presents readers with an accessible introduction to the beauty of Cistercian spirituality. As the Rule of Benedict instructs, readers will be inspired to 'listen carefully' to the wisdom of a tradition that continues to speak powerfully to women and men. Not only does Befriending Silence guide us in the gifts of Cistercian spirituality, but it's also a tremendous gift to all spiritual seekers!"

Rev. Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M., author of The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton

"Befriending Silence is useful and stimulating to anyone who wishes to profit from the substantial wisdom of the Cistercian tradition."

Michael Casey, O.C.S.O., Cistercian monk and author of Seventy Four Tools for Good Living

"Carl McColman gives us a gentle, conversational, and humbly persuasive presentation of the spiritual benefits (and joys) of vowed and disciplined association with monastic life and practice for Christian lay folk. Himself a lay Cistercian, McColman speaks with quiet assurance about our human need to be ever more mindful of, and intentional about, our 'God-hunger' and the holy yearning from which it comes. In doing so, he has added a practical as well as an informing volume to the literature of faith."

Phyllis Tickle, founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly

"Befriending Silence manifests in a wonderful way the Cistercian charism which today is shared by lay Cistercians and also guides mature seekers."

Br. Patrick Hart, O.C.S.O., Cistercian monk and former secretary of Thomas Merton

"Befriending Silence is a great gift to all who hunger for meaning, mystery, peace, hope, and God. It takes wisdom from an important contemplative tradition and offers it to all. It is beautifully and humbly written—a joy on many levels."

Brian D. McLaren, speaker and author of We Make the Road by Walking