(Latin: silere, to be still)
Abstention from exterior occupation, especially conversation, that the mind may the better apply itself to pious thoughts; to meditation, or to prayer; interior silence consists in banishing wilful distractions and awaiting the inspirations of the Holy Ghost. Both are necessary preliminaries to effective prayer. In the religious life silence is kept the greatet part of the day; the period between evening prayer and morning Mass is known as the Great Silence, admitting a breach only for the gravest of reasons.