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HOLY SILENCE
Reflections on a Journey into God
A Contemplative Community Dedicated to Prayer and
Healing Pastoral Encounter
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When You Can't See the Road Ahead
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end, nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Dec 11, 20251 min read


Waking Up to Hope and Dread
When I wake up in the morning, I experience In equal amounts, Hope and dread. The hope comes from the Expansiveness of the Eternal and the Depths of the Divine, both of which Comfortably make a home in the depths of my soul. The dread comes from the Depraved diabolism and the Maleficent machinations that Perniciously taunt me through the windows of my soul. The former is a pure gift given Despite my sin Separate from my failures and Filled with forgiveness. The latter is an o

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Dec 10, 20251 min read


Holy Spirit Mondays: Regret and Renewal
Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "By the Holy Spirit all creation is renewed and thus returns to its first state" (Matins, Antiphon 2, 7 Dec 25). Ponder : How much do you reflect on the past and present? Do you wish things were different? Does that make you feel regret? How often? Daily? Weekly? Think about it. If you are like most people, y

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Seek Intimacy and Sacrifice (Homily)
We tend to take for granted that we are a people called to the heavenly kingdom by God through His love, mercy, joy, and desire for our salvation. Thus, we are reminded today to have faith in the Holy Trinity, to believe in Christ, and to seek the Holy Spirit. And this is how we live like we mean it: pray intimately with God every day in order to know His will, and to love and sacrifice for Him (and His people) with all our mind, all our heart, all our soul, and with every la

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 23, 20251 min read


The Greatness of Prayer!
The greatness of prayer lies in its Essence as divine presence and Divine glorification. The greatness of prayer is Defined by God's limitless love and Willingness to be present in and near us. The greatness of prayer transcends our unworthiness: Through Christ's redemptive work and the Spirit's sanctifying work. The greatness of prayer is a transfiguring act, if We have a deep desire for God's presence, and when We have a real desire to be present with Him. The greatness of

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 21, 20251 min read


Holy Spirit Mondays: Heavenly Armies and You
Each week I send a short email to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "In the Holy Spirit is universal dominion, which the armies in heaven worship, as does every breathing being on earth' (Matins, Antiphon 3, 16 November 2025). Ponder: Take note of the second phrase. The heavenly armies worship God. Think about such an awe-inspiring occurrence: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Powers,

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 17, 20251 min read


Heal, Go to Confession (Homily)
As we begin the Nativity Fast, we are reminded to avail ourselves of the sacrament of confession. Why? While all the Sacraments, especially Eucharist, draw us back to the Lord, Confession specifically roots out the small, simple, insidious thoughts, words, and deeds that lead us down a path of distraction, bad choices, and long-lived maladies that cause us long term, if not eternal, suffering. So, let us together, look forward to the coming of our Lord who wills that each of

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 16, 20251 min read


Life, Suffering and Angels that Speak (Homily)
Today, we are reminded that life can be beautiful and glorious because God created it. But there is a lot of suffering in it too ... emotionally, intellectually, physically, relationally, and spiritually. To help us through the suffering, God sends us people who can help us find patience and gracious love in the difficulty. He also sends us angels and saints who speak to us and show us the way to God who reminds us ... 'I am speaking to you in prayer, I am leading you in Spir

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 9, 20251 min read


Why Do We Pray?
We talk a lot about praying, but why do we do it? Prayer Brings Us Close to the Holy Spirit "Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance, suppresses anger, restrains pride and envy, draws down the Holy Spirit into the soul and raises man to heaven" (St Ephraim the Syrian, in Moore, Orthodox Prayer , p. 22). Prayer Keeps Us Steady "Hold on to the staff of prayer and you will not fall. And even a fall will not be fatal, since prayer is a devout, persistent coercin

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 8, 20252 min read


Holy Spirit Mondays: God Within
Each week I send a short email to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of goodness and giver of life: come; abide in us, cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one." Ponder: These words of the best-known Holy Spirit prayer are recited so much that they are often forgotten

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 3, 20251 min read

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