"In the solitude and silence of the wilderness..., for their labor in the contest, God gives his athletes the reward they desire: a peace that the world does not know and joy in the Holy Spirit." (St Bruno) Most of us will never be able to spend a long time in the wilderness, but we are called to enter into the presence of God within us. There in that silence and solitude we will be able to be nourished by God for the journey we are on. In that silence and solitude--alone with God-- we will experience both desolation and consolation: desolation because of our sins; consolation because of the love and mercy of God. But in the end there will be a peace and a joy that only comes from God.