|
From a poster
displayed in the 'Silent Space', Firenze, European Social Forum.
November 789 2002. Sr. Patrizia Pasini. JPICP. Snore Miss, della
Consolata.
Silence is effective in leading us down into the deeper aspects
of our humanity where we can find the best of what we are and of what we
can yet become.
Silence enables us to be at peace
with ourselves.
In silence we are able to pause and savour human life, to feel ourselves
to be part of it and to be aware of sharing in it with those around us.
Silence opens the way to reflection, to an objective and candid
assessment of self along with a capacity for self forgiveness.
Silence leads us to a constructive, sincere and responsible
critique of what goes on around us.
In silence we become disposed to have compassion for those who suffer
and to have solidarity with them.
Silence opens the way to
reconciling and being reconciled, to pardoning and to being pardoned.
Silence makes us fit to form
friendships and constructive human relationships.
In silence we come to understand that
human life has a supreme value that invites honour and respect.
Silence opens up the world of art
and so enables us to find joy in musisc, in poetry and, in general, in
all the artistic modalities.
Silence helps us to enter into the beauty and strength of nature,
creating within us the desire to honour it, respect it and find joy in
it.
In silence it becomes possible to see sorrow and death, not as being
ultimately destructive but as having transforming and humanising power.
Silence teaches us to consider that
any human life is huge with potential, in and of itself, and from this
to recognise the fundamental right that each person has to have what is
necessary in order to live with dignity.
Silence fosters reflection on the exploitation and impoverishment
of so many human beings and so challenges us to promote and champion
human rights.
In silence we are helped to understand that it is possible to respond to
violence, aggression and evil with non-violent, creative, ultimately
more effective, means.
Silence makes it possible for us to
believe firmly in and work towards a more just world in
which globalisation is tempered by mutual care.
Silence opens us up to the transcendental which resides in the
depth of every human being.
Translated from Italian. Anton de
Roeper, fsc.
|
