Taizé
Spirituality
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many people the name "Taizé" evokes a certain style of singing
that has become popular in more and more churches, retreat
centers, campus parishes and even seminaries. For some,
the word also suggests gatherings which attract large numbers
of young adults. Still others are aware that Taizé is in
fact an ecumenical community of brothers located in a small
village in eastern France. |
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About
the Taizé Community
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Taizé is a tiny village hidden away in the hills of Burgundy
in the eastern part of France. It is an ecumenical
community of brothers whose prayer is at the heart of their
life. Founded in 1940, the community is made up of
Protestants and Catholics from 20 different countries, and
has become host to thousands of young people who visit Taizé,
entering into the prayer and spirit of the community. |
In reaching out to the greater body of God's people, the
community has endeavored to make prayer meditative, popular,
accessible to all generations, and as universal as possible.
Simple chants, repeated over and over again, underscore
the meditative quality of prayer.
Visit
the Taizé Community Web site
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Parishes
we know of that host Taizé
spirituality or song include:
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Silence
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When
we try to express communion with God in words, we rapidly
reach the end of our capacities. But in the depths of our
being, Christ is praying, far more than we imagine. Compared
to the immensity of that hidden prayer of Christ in us,
our explicit praying dwindles to almost nothing. That is
why silence is so essential in discovering the heart of
prayer.
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Although
God never stops trying to communicate with us, God never
wants to impose anything on us. Often God's voice comes
in a whisper, in a breath of silence. Remaining in silence
in God's presence, open to the Spirit, is already prayer.
It
is not a matter of trying to obtain inner silence at all
costs by following some method that creates a kind of emptiness
within. The important thing is a childlike attitude of trust
by which we allow Christ to pray within us silently, and
then one day, we will discover that the depths of our being
are inhabited by a Presence.
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Books
on Taizé:
"She
who sings, prays twice."
This
music is more than a chant and not quit a hymn. It repeats like
a round but has more words. The words flow softly so without heavy
concentration you may repeat them and move into the prayer they
contain.
CDs
of music in the style of Taizé:
The
rhythm of life in Taizé is made up of two basic movements that
fit together like breathing in and breathing out. Three times
a day, everyone comes together for prayer: that is the "breathing
in." Listening to the Word of God, singing, remaining in silence
invites us to turn towards Christ. Everyone is committed very
personally while at the same time being supported by the others.
Prayer makes us aware, little by little, that it is possible to
find unity amidst the diversity of backgrounds, gifts and paths.
The "breathing out" is the meetings with others: groups of reflection,
different forms of service for the day-to-day running of things,
free time for many different encounters. By listening, discussing
and working together, personal bonds are formed, unique relationships
which each one keeps like a treasurer. Horizons become wider:
personal names, faces and lives are gradually linked to the names
of countries on the globe.
As
the days pass, this breathing in and out allows the Gospel to
shed light on the whole of life. And when people return home and
have less time, are more isolated and forced to deal with many
different activities, the experience can serve as a point of reference
that allows us to keep searching....
From
the Letter of Taizé, November 1999
updated
02/27/03
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