A citation from the library
Patristic A.D. 542 · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on 1Sam 1:13-14 (SERMON 72.2)

Caesarius of Arles, on 1Sam 1:13

Caesarius of Arles · c. A.D. 470–542
1Sam 1:13 · Douay-Rheims
“Now Anna spoke in her heart, and only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard at all. Heli therefore thought her to be drunk,”
On this verse:
“As often as we apply ourselves to prayer, dearly beloved, we should above all pray in silence and quiet. If a man wants to pray aloud, he seems to take the fruit of prayer away from those who are standing near him. Only moans and sighs and groans should be heard. Indeed our prayer ought to be like that of holy Hannah, the mother of blessed Samuel, of whom it is written that "she prayed, shedding many tears, and only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard at all." Let everyone hear and imitate this, especially those who pray aloud without any embarrassment and in such a chattering fashion that they do not allow those near them to pray. Therefore, let us pray, as I said, with sighs and moans and groans, in accord with the words of the prophet: "I roared with the groaning of my heart." Let us pray, I repeat, not with a loud voice but with our hearts crying out to God.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.

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