--- title: "St. Benedict’s Twelve Degrees of Humility: The Ninth Degree" description: Guest contributor Diane Schwind introduces the Rule of St. Benedict as a powerful spiritual tool for the family in this Part IX examining the Twelve Steps of Humility. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/humility.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/06/06/st-benedicts-twelve-degrees-of-humility-the-ninth-degree#) [PARENTING](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/parenting) # St. Benedict’s Twelve Degrees of Humility: The Ninth Degree Jun 6, 2014 7:30:20 PM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/humility.png)   *Guest contributor Diane Schwind introduces the Rule of St. Benedict as a powerful spiritual tool for the family in this Part IX examining the Twelve Steps of Humility.*   We are approaching the top of the ladder of humility.  The ninth degree states: > The ninth degree of humility is that a monk restrain his tongue and keep silence, not speaking until he is questioned. For the Scripture shows that "in much speaking there is no escape from sin" (Prov. 10:19)and that "the talkative man is not stable on the earth" (Ps. 139[140]:12[11]). This degree really hits the sin of pride smack in the face.  St. Benedict is asking us to put aside our own opinions, ideas, thoughts, and knowledge and listen, really listen. How often when in conversation with another are we formulating our response while the other person is still in the middle of their point?  Sometimes, we even interrupt, bursting forth with our own great intelligence before the person can finish their contribution. In the *Spiritual Exercises *used by the Congregation of St. Maur, a French Benedictine monastery, it states, “The desire to talk comes only from pride, for one speaks only to instruct others and to appear learned and clever.” Ultimately St. Benedict is calling us to silence so that we can hear the voice of God.  Remember [the very first degree](http://catholicmom.com/2013/09/14/st-benedicts-12-steps-of-humility/), recognizing that God is always present?  He too, wants to be a part of the conversation by quietly speaking in our hearts.  If we are trying so desperately to be heard, how will we be able to hear His voice? Canon G. A. Simon explains in the Commentary for Benedictine Oblates, “When anyone takes care to keep interior silence the better to listen to God’s voice and to live more intimately with Him, he does not indulge willfully in idle or foolish talk,” (p. 154). This is a lesson we first must learn and then we can share it with our children.  Granted, there are conversations that need to be had, but if we expect our children to learn to listen, we too must listen, even to them, mostly to them.  In families with many children, it can get a little loud for a little too long.  I remember telling my children that my ears were tired, and we needed to take a silent break and listen for the quiet things. We all need a break from the noise around us.  This degree of humility helps us to see that we don’t want to be a part of the noise, but instead of adding one more fact or “but” or “also,” sometimes we just need to add silence with a smile and a nod and a humble heart in tune with God. God’s blessings! 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To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ St. Benedict’s 12 Degrees of Humility: The Second Degree Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/11/09/st-benedicts-12-degrees-of-humility-the-second-degree) [ St. Benedict’s 12 Degrees of Humility: The Third Degree Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/14/st-benedicts-12-degrees-of-humility-the-third-degree) [ St. Benedict’s Twelve Degrees of Humility: The Seventh Degree Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/04/04/st-benedicts-twelve-degrees-of-humility-the-seventh-degree) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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