When anyone is in the state of grace, then there is a dialogue, conversation of friend [God] with friend [us]. So we see that the dissipation of mind which so prevails in the world today is a form of madness. We need times of silence: “Be still and see that I am your God in your heart” (Ps 46:10).
Charles Cardinal Journet (1891–1975)
We Need Times of Silence
1–2 minutes
2 responses to “We Need Times of Silence”
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It is beautiful to see a quote from Cardinal Journet1 Thank you! His contemplative vision and mystical theology is a treasure that few Catholic know of, so special thanks. Years ago I spent many happy hours reading his work and reflecting on it, particularly his insightful comments on the nature of the Church, which he and his friend Jacques Maritain, the fantastic Catholic philosopher, seemed to have worked on in tandem. And of the Eucharist, Cardinal Journet wrote: ““Each Holy Communion should intensify in us this grace and this indwelling, We should come away from it, our souls more open to, and more deeply penetrated by the Trinity”
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I’m glad to meet someone who enjoys and profits by the work of the Maritains and Cardinal Journet. =) In the French-speaking world, there are quite a few of us (especially since the review Nova et Vetera continues and since Cardinal Journet is actually a “Servant of God” nowadays in Switzerland) — but in the English-speaking world, not many so far.
Jacques and Raïssa Maritain and Charles Journet are pretty much the scaffolding of my blog. I quote from many sources, but I think it’s safe to say that everything is organized around their philosophy and theology. (I also quote and reference them themselves: Jacques in 92 posts, Charles in 74 posts so far. Lots more quotes here ^_^.)
Regarding the collaboration and individual works of JM and CJ on the Church: it is an odd and somewhat sad story, from what I know. While Jacques Maritain and Charles Journet shared many thoughts on the Church throughout their 50-year friendship, when Jacques wrote his book On the Church of Christ at the end of his life, he actually wrote it without talking to Cardinal Journet at all. I think Jacques was too weak for anything like long conversations (he was almost 90), but the day that Jacques showed Cardinal Journet the book (before publication), he was a bit hurt. Jacques had revised some of the central themes of Charles’ work The Church of the Word Incarnate. But the cardinal then reread it, loved it, and incorporated the “personality of the Church” (Jacques’ main theme) into his own later work. It was one of those short-lived misunderstandings or pains that arise in friendships due to the limitations of the human condition, but by which we grow even closer and think even more alike. Less than five years after this, both had entered into eternity and joined Raïssa. =)
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Contemplative in the Mud 