While lay Catholics have long appreciated that silent retreats are not reserved for monks and mystics alone, the surge in popularity of silent travel experiences as a secular trend worldwide shows our universal hunger for stillness.
In the age of notifications, silence is coming off the margins and into the mainstream, driven by the urge to escape digital overload and modern life’s relentless pace. Retreat centres and mindfulness spaces from the United States to Europe are reporting record demand for silent retreats and tech-free breaks, especially among younger adults keen to unplug, slow down and sit with their own thoughts.
