This book brings together two searching reflections on Christian discipleship, conscience, and the demands of peace by Sister Edmée (1930–2018). In the first, prompted by the lives of twentieth-century Jewish pacifists, she examines the difficult relationship between personal conviction and communal loyalty, exploring what it means to resist violence while remaining deeply committed to one’s own people and tradition. The result is a thoughtful meditation on conscience, responsibility, courage, and the cost of fidelity to truth.
The second essay turns to the relationship between silence and action in the Christian life. Drawing on the Gospels, monastic tradition, and contemporary spiritual writers, Sister Edmée reflects on inner stillness, attentive presence, hospitality, and the often-overlooked ‘passive’ dimension of ministry. Throughout, she insists that authentic action must arise from a heart rooted in prayer and that true silence is never withdrawal from the world but rather a deeper engagement with it. Wise and challenging, these essays illuminate the connection between contemplation, compassion, and responsible action.