Apologies for going OT and being a bit pedantic but Benedictine monks don't take a vow of silence - that's mostly the Trappists* and Carthusians. That said, they do have times of strict silence, including meal times. So, perhaps travelling in a simple black habit will give sufficient excuse for keeping quiet.

*For those even more pedantic than me, yes OK Trappists are Benedictines too.