St Ambrose of Milan was renown even in his own lifetime as a brilliant theologian, a kind and indefatigable pastor, and an accomplished statesman. But one of the things for which he was regarded as remarkable will seem puzzling, even comical, today: his ability to read silently! Silent reading is now the norm rather than the exception; we would think it odd to find someone reading aloud to themselves. But in late antiquity – and on into the Medieval era – reading aloud was so much the norm that the ability to read silently seems to have ranked as a remarkable accomplishment.

We learn of St Ambrose’s ability to do so in the Confessions of his contemporary, St Augustine: “When he read his eyes would travel across the pages and his mind would explore the sense, but his voice and tongue were silent” (VI,3[3], in as translated by Sr Maria Boulding, OSB).

There is an intriguing if oblique reference in the Rule of St Benedict to the fact that reading aloud, even to oneself, was the norm in his time. In arranging the outline of the monks’ day, Chapter 48 prescribes that “after Sext [or midday prayer] and their meal, they may rest on their beds in complete silence; should a brother wish to read privately, let him do so, but without disturbing the others” (as translated by monks of Collegeville).  “Reading privately” in the dormitory would not disturb others unless it were done aloud; the Rule expects it to be in a low voice during the siesta so as to allow others to sleep.

I mention all of this in order to draw attention to the fact that, historically, people engaged with texts in a way that involved more of the body than does the silent reading to which we are now accustomed, and texts were written in the expectation that they would be experienced in this way. You may find this helpful in your own encounters with Sacred Scripture, liturgical texts (when you pray alone), the writings of the Fathers and Mothers of the church, and “secular” writings, too. If you are struggling to encounter a text in a way that resonates with you, whether in lectio divina or in some other situation, try reading it aloud to yourself; try proclaiming it if it is something proclaimable. You may find that it comes alive in a new way.