This Lent young people, schools, parishes and adults will join together in silence and action. For Catholic schools in particular, we think silence can be really powerful, as it’s such an important part of our Christian tradition. It allows us time to pray and listen. We allow space for the voices we don’t usually hear.
Silence can also be deafening. When communities and nations stop on Remembrance Sunday, the two-minute silence rings loud. Imagine a normally noisy House of Commons staying silent to listen to young people. Or a Sunday homily, filled with silence for reflection on how young people are not heard. That sort of silence, that amplifies the voices that aren’t usually heard, can be powerful.
Our champion Abbot Fr Christopher Jamison OSB explains: “Staying silent may seem a strange way of giving voice to an opinion but we are drawing attention to the fact that there are many young people who are effectively voiceless. Some have been abandoned, others overlooked, and they find themselves without any sense of purpose in life… We will draw attention to them by being a powerful expression of their voicelessness. By remaining silent together, we find that we are giving voice to young people’s silence. Secondly, we will raise money for initiatives and projects that help young people to find a voice.”
In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis issues a direct call to young people. He says: “Dear young people…Take risks, even if it means making mistakes… Make a ruckus! Cast out the fears that paralyze you… Live! Open the door of the cage, go out and fly!”
By staying siLENT this Lent you believe, like us, that young people have the power to change the world – if they are invested in and heard.
HELP US REACH A MILLION
A ‘Million Minutes of Silence’ is a simple idea - each minute is sponsored to raise money for social action projects supporting young people. Throughout Lent schools, parishes, and individuals will help clock up a million minutes! We want this year to be the biggest year yet, to show our collective support for young people, and to raise at least a million pennies (which is £10,000!) to help young people restore our world.
For older year groups:
24 hours straight- Choose a date in Lent (17 Feb - 3 April 2021) and start getting sponsored.
Lead a siLENT RE Lesson – use our PowerPoint and lesson plan to inspire others into action to join you, you could even create your own PowerPoint and share it with your school.
No Phone or Social Media - Instead of spending all those hours online, ask your students or give it up for Lent, and then spend just half an hour a day in silence (and an hour on Good Friday and Holy Saturday). It adds up to 24 hours.
Host a silent assembly – to reflect on the ways in which young people are shut out of decision-making.
A collective silence in school/groups - e.g. a silent assembly, or an hour for the whole school.
A Silent Relay - commit to staying silent in a ‘relay’ e.g. you could stay silent for the whole school day and ‘pass’ the silence on class to class.
Meditate and pray – Use our resource to find some inner quiet during your day.
Hold a silent meal or disco with your family/or in the school hall.
IDEAS OF HOW TO TAKE PART
For younger years:
A collective silence in school/groups - e.g. a silent assembly, or an hour for the whole school.
A Silent Relay - commit to staying silent in a ‘relay’. e.g. you could stay silent for the whole school day and ‘pass’ the silence on class to class.
Meditate and pray – Use our resource to find some inner quiet during your day.
Give up the XBOX, PlayStation or I-Pad for 24 hours.
Hold a silent meal with your family.
Hold a silent disco in the school hall.
Whatever way you choose to participate in SiLENT be sure to let us know , so we can amplify your efforts!
Explore our resources here.
SIGN UP NOW!
At Million Minutes we’re inspired and challenged by Catholic social teaching (CST). It lies at the heart of what we’re trying to do. At its centre is the basic concept of The dignity and equality of each human person.
