Vow of silence

A vow of silence is a vow taken to avoid the use of speech. Although the concept is commonly associated with monasticism, no religious order takes such a vow, and even the most austere monastic orders such as the Carthusians have times in their schedule for talking.

In monasteries of the Western Christian tradition, the so-called "Great Silence" is the time during the night hours – usually after Compline until after the first canonical hours in the next morning – wherein speaking is more strictly prohibited.

Recently, the vow of silence has been embraced by some in secular society as means of protest or of deepening their spirituality. Silence is often seen as essential to deepening a relationship with God. It is also considered a virtue in some religions.