Silence: Everyday Living and Praying Joyce Ann Zimmerman

It's not often that we think about silence or its importance in living healthy, balanced, and productive lives. We especially need silence if we are to deepen our spiritual lives. This book understands the sacredness of practicing silence and explores how we can learn to incorporate it into both our prayer and everyday lives.

Much more than a commentary on silence, this book invites readers throughout the text to stop, ponder and be silent. It includes both reflection content and practice exercises for exploring how silence might become an everyday habit.

Living and praying silence is a sacred art. Silence is sacred because it lifts us up out of the ordinary; takes us out of ourselves; enables us to focus on our deepest values, desires, and aspirations. Silence is art because it frees us for new possibilities and insights; prepares us for the unexpected and extraordinary; draws forth from us that which is wholly new, unintended, and liberating. Having regular periods of silence in our lives helps us to grow as fulfilled human beings and to grow spiritually.

Silence: Everyday Living and Praying is the perfect resource for:

• theological reflection groups
• adult faith formation groups
• members of liturgy committees
• pastors and deacons
• pastoral associates
• liturgists and directors of music
• and anyone looking to bring silence into their lives

“In our fast-paced world, this book invites us to put down the cell phone, turn off the MP3 player, and still our bodies, minds, and souls to experience silence. Take the time to pray and reflect your way through this book – even in small increments. In the end you will know the need for and crave the inner silence in your life.”
-Jill Maria Murdy
Director of Liturgy and Music
St. Frances Cabrini Roman Catholic Church, West Bend, Wisconsin

About the author:

Joyce Ann Zimmerman, CPPS, PHD, STD, is the director of the Institute for Liturgical Ministry in Dayton, Ohio; the founding editor (1992) and columnist for Liturgical Ministry; adjunct professor of liturgy at the Athenaeum of Ohio; a liturgical consultant; frequent speaker and facilitator of workshops on liturgy, spirituality, and other related topics; and an award-winning author of numerous books and articles on liturgy and spirituality. She is the recipient of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy's 2008 Michael Mathis Award.

Paperback, 6 x 9, 128 pages