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PRAYING IN THE NOISE OF THE CITY OR IN THE SILENCE OF THE VILLAGE.

J. K. Osiyemi, EHJ

I've always found peace in praying in most of our Convent Chapels, though the noise from the street and nearby market do infiltrate almost all the time for the Chapels situated near market areas or busy streets in the cities. Oftentimes, when I find the noise around the Chapel area distracting and disturbing, I turn it around into prayer. I use the moment to pray for good, profitable but honest business for the Traders. I pray that God will bless their hustle for the day, and that the Buyers too will reap benefits from their purchases. I don't leave out the taxis, buses, keke and okada Drivers! I usually ask God to give them the patience to drive with patience and not hurt their Riders/Passengers.

However, my mood one evening was different. Something got a hold of me, and I lost it. Yes! I got to the Chapel to have my usual evening quiet time with the MASTER. After less than 15 minutes I angrily stormed out of the Chapel. Why? You may wish to know. It's because I got peeved by the Traders hawking their wares in very loud voices. Before now, I've always turned this noise to prayer, but that day was different. Something came over me. I whined and complained about the difficulty in concentrating on my prayers due to the noise. Maybe I woke up from the wrong side of the bed that day, who knows?

Apparently, the one that really got me upset was using the megaphone to announce his products on top of his voice from a recorded tape which must have been set to the highest volume! He was selling some kind of herbal medicine for aches and pain. Note that the Convent is right behind a popular market in the city centre. I never had this issue when I lived in the atmosphere of serene tranquillity of quiet Convents in some rural areas where I'd worked before.

However, the obvious truth is that amid the bustling streets, where hawkers' calls and blaring horns fill the air, it seems quite challenging to find solace in prayer. The Convents nestled in these busy neighbourhoods, surrounded by the relentless energy of the city, appear to be unlikely havens for contemplation. Yet, it is precisely in these environments that the power of faith is tested and proven. God's presence can still be strongly felt in the stillness of the heart (Ps 46:10) amidst the chaos of the city. The Sisters who reside in these urban Convents, though surrounded by the cacophony of city life, ought to find solace in their devotion, and their prayers ought to be a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil.

On the other hand, in the rolling hills and lush greenery of rural Convents (which I have had the privilege of enjoying in various places), the atmosphere is serene, and the silence is a palpable presence. When I lived in these quiet rural places, I could easily immerse myself in contemplation, my prayers rising like incense (Ps 141:2) to the heavens. The peaceful surroundings seem to whisper the presence of God, inviting the heart to deepen its devotion. There, it's much easier to hear the still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13).

I am convinced that whether amid the city's bustling streets or in the tranquil countryside, God's presence remains constant. The Divine is not limited by our surroundings, nor is the power of prayer diminished by the noise of the city or enhanced by the silence of the countryside. In the stillness of the heart, God's voice whispers, 'I am here.' May we, whether in the city or in the quiet, always seek to listen to that gentle whisper, and may our prayers rise as a sweet fragrance to the throne of God (Ps 141:2).

I'm reminded of a book, "Poustinia in the Marketplace" by Catherine Doherty which we read for spiritual reading when I was in the Novitiate. Catherine Doherty, a Russian-Canadian Catholic Author, explored the concept of "poustinia" – a Russian word meaning "desert" – in the context of modern urban life. Doherty said that it's possible to create a poustinia, or a "desert," in the bustling marketplace. As Novices back then, this book encouraged us to seek solitude, silence, and contemplation within the chaos of daily life.

Reflecting on my own experience of living in a Convent in a noisy area, this book resonates very deeply with me. Just as Doherty advocates for finding inner solitude amidst external chaos, I've once again discovered ways to cultivate a sense of inner peace and connection with God despite the noise and distractions around me.

Another book that comes to mind is "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, OCD. Brother Lawrence was a 17th-century Carmelite monk who worked in a busy monastery kitchen. Despite the chaos and distractions around him, he cultivated a deep sense of God's presence in his daily life. His book is a collection of his letters and conversations, in which he shared practical advice on how to maintain a sense of spiritual connection amidst the hustles and bustles of daily life, rather than waiting for a quiet, peaceful environment.

There's no doubt that I must be more committed to finding God's presence in a noisy Convent area and continue to seek God amid distractions. I'm resolved to continue finding spiritual connections in unexpected places, like a noisy market area.

May the Lord hearken to the prayers we say in quiet and noisy places. Amen.