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Silence (Japanese: 沈黙, Hepburn: Chinmoku) is a 1966 novel of theological and historical fiction by Japan’s foremost novelist Shūsaku Endō. It tells the story of a Jesuit missionary sent to 17th-century Japan, who endures persecution in the time of Kakure Kirishitan ('Hidden Christians') that followed the defeat of the Shimabara Rebellion. The recipient of the 1966 Tanizaki Prize, it has been called "Endō's supreme achievement” and "one of the twentieth century's finest novels”. Written partly in the form of a letter by its central character, the theme of a silent God who accompanies a believer in adversity was greatly influenced by the Catholic Endō's experience of religious discrimination in Japan, culture gap in France, and a debilitating bout with tuberculosis.
This isn’t a typical book study, but more of an informal discussion of the novel and its theological questions and implications. There are 10 chapters, so we will cover two chapters per week: February 25th Chapters 1 & 2 March 4th Chapters 3 & 4 March 11th Chapters 5 & 6 March 18th Chapters 7 & 8 March 25th Chapters 9 & 10 While not a requirement it is very helpful to have a sense of overall numbers of interested participants. Please take a moment to complete the RSVP by clicking here or using the signup sheet in the folio on the Rector’s Office Door. If you are interested in a group buy of the book, please indicate so when you register. The deadline for the group buy is Friday February 6th, 2026. Please don’t let your financial situation preclude you from full participation. If you need a copy of the book to be supplied free of cost please reach out to the Rector directly. |