Stay Here (Taize)

Christus Resurrexit

Taize: Stay Here

Stay With Me (Taize)

Adoramus te, o Christe

The Hill of Taize

Brother Roger : All of us are seekers from Taizé on Vimeo.

Life at Taizé from Taizé on Vimeo.

The following comes from Zenit.org:

Here is a translation of a reflection made by Giovanni Maria Vian, the editor of L'Osservatore Romano, for the 70th anniversary of Brother Roger Schutz's arrival on the hill of Taizé in France.

Brother Roger started the ecumenical Taizé community, and was killed five years ago at age 90.

* * *

It was Aug. 20, 1940, 70 years ago, when Roger Schutz arrived for the first time in Taizé. In that summer of war in a France subjected to the invader, the Swiss Calvinist pastor certainly could not imagine that in a not too distant future -- already during the decade of the 50s -- other European young people, many and later very many more, would climb that hill in the heart of Burgundy, in an undulating and gentle rural region on whose horizon often great clouds are seen. In the beginning they arrived spontaneously, as he, perhaps, in autostop; later from all the continent in organized groups, especially during the summer or at Easter.

In the liturgical calendar, Aug. 20 is the feast of St. Bernard, who lived in Citeaux, not far from Taizé, which in turn is just a few kilometers from Cluny: under the sign of monastic reforms that have marked the history of the Church. And already in 1940 the young Schutz began to take in refugees and Jews, thinking of a plan of common life with some friends, which he began two years later in Geneva because of the impossibility of staying in France. He returned to Taizé during the war, and he renewed his hospitality, this time to German prisoners and orphan children. Whoever arrives today finds a small bungalow, just beyond the old houses and the small Romanesque church, surrounded by a minuscule cemetery, and a welcome that embodies the ancient hospitality in the name of Christ inscribed in the Rule of St. Benedict.

In fact, the monastic vocation had always attracted Roger and his companions, all of Protestant origin, but sensitive to the wealth of the different Christian currents; they committed themselves already in 1949 to a form of common life in the vein of Benedictine and Ignatian spirituality, delineated some years later in the Rule of Taizé. That same year Brother Roger was received [in audience] by Pius XII together with one of his first companions, Max Thurian, and since 1958 his meetings with the Popes -- John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II, who was on the hill in 1986 -- became an annual custom, expressing a closeness that led, from the end of the decade of the 60s, to the entrance in the community of a growing number of Catholics. And Brother Roger, already several years before his murder at the hands of an unstable woman on Aug. 16, 2005, designated a young German Catholic, Alois Loser, as his successor in the leadership of the community.

In 1962 the prior, with some brothers, began in the most absolute secret, a series of visits to some countries of Eastern Europe, while in August a modern Church of Reconciliation was inaugurated in Taizé. A very large space -- but which soon had to be enlarged, in the beginning with tents, to accommodate the thousands of persons who arrived in the weeks of summer -- planned for prayer three times a day in several languages. With the long moments of silence and meditative songs now very widespread, these three daily meetings were what profoundly impressed those who arrived for the first time on the hill.

For the opening of a "council of young people" in August of 1974, more than 40,000 arrived in Taizé from the whole of Europe, housed in a camp of tents, in a precariousness aggravated by torrential rain. Passing imperturbable among them was Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, sent by Paul VI, speaking amiably to young people little more than 20 years old who approached him, stained with mud and tired, but impressed by the community's ecumenical wager. To them, for decades, in the line of the great Christian tradition, Brother Roger addressed a brief meditation every afternoon and, after the prayer, he paused to meet with and hear those who wished to speak with him or approach him.

This was in the years of youthful rebellion and the estrangement of many from the faith, the revolution of Taizé. Struggle and contemplation the prior decided to title the newspaper of those years, while the community began a "pilgrimage of trust" in the various continents. Seeking reconciliation and sharing the poverties of the world, reviving the virtually extinguished faith in numerous contexts of Central Europe, sustaining its little flame in countries suffocated by Communism, accustoming many young Catholics to an ever greater openness.

Taizé never wished to be a movement, but it always stimulated people to be involved in parishes and in local realities: practicing hospitality, encouraging the peacemakers of the evangelical beatitude, working for the union between Churches and communities of believers in Christ, showing vitality and efficacy in an ecumenical spiritual journey. That one be able to reconcile in oneself -- Brother Roger, notre frere, had learned it as a youth and witnessed to it during his whole life, authentic pioneer of an "ecumenism of holiness," as Cardinal Bertone wrote in the name of Benedict XVI -- the riches of the different Christian confessions: the attention to the Bible stressed in Protestantism, the splendor of Orthodox liturgy, the centrality of the Catholic Eucharist, before which always shines in Taizé a little light that signifies adoration of the One Lord.

Taizé Chant: Adoramus te O Christe

Jesus I believe (Adoration at Medjugorje)

Taize Laudate Omnes Gentes

All ye nations, praise the Lord!

Taizé: Adoramus te, o Christe

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Gloria by Taizé Zagreb

Bless the Lord by Taize

Pope prayer draws 40,000 Christian youths during Taizé conference

Taizé Proclaims Joy to the World

The following comes from Zenit.org:

The prior of the ecumenical Taizé community is inviting a "conscious choice, to opt for joy," saying this will enable us to face reality and even suffering.

Brother Alois Loser affirmed this in his annual letter to the ecumenical Taizé group. This year's note came from Chile, following the second international Taizé meeting in Latin America, held Dec. 8-12.

"We undergo trials and suffering in our lives, sometimes for long periods," Brother Alois reflected. "But we always want to try and rediscover the joy of living. Where does this joy come from?"

He went on to consider the joy that "resists discouragement;" that does not "depend only on passing circumstances" and "comes from trust in God;" that "even in times of trial," can "remain buried like embers under the ashes, without going out."

Unlimited compassion

The prior observed that "opting for joy does not mean running away from life’s problems. Instead, it enables us to face reality, and even suffering."

"Opting for joy," he said, "is inseparable from a concern for other human beings. It fills us with unlimited compassion."

A taste of God's joy, even if it is fleeting "turns us into women and men of communion," Brother Alois stated. And he added that "individualism as a road to happiness is an illusion."

"The road to happiness, in the steps of Jesus, lies in the gift of ourselves, day by day. Through the lives we live, in great simplicity, we can express God’s love," he said. "[...] Over-accumulating material possessions kills joy. It keeps us trapped in envy. Happiness lies elsewhere: By choosing a simple lifestyle, working not just for profit but to give meaning to life, sharing with others, everyone can help create a future of peace. God does not give a spirit of timidity but a spirit of love and inner strength."

Repairing

Brother Alois concluded the Letter From Chile with a reflection on forgiveness, which he said "can never be used to condone injustice."

"On the contrary," the prior continued, "believing in forgiveness makes us freer to recognize our own faults, as well as the mistakes and injustices around us and in the world. It is up to us to repair anything that can be made good."

God's forgiveness is unfailing, Brother Alois declared. And Christ "distinguished between the person and the offense committed. Until his last breath on the cross, he refused to condemn anyone. And instead of minimizing the fault, he took it upon himself."

This leader on the path of ecumenism acknowledged that "there are situations where we do not manage to forgive. The wound is too big."

He suggested remembering in those moments that while "God’s forgiveness never fails," for us, "it is sometimes only by stages that we succeed."
Yet, he proposed, "The desire to forgive is already a first step, even when that desire remains engulfed in bitterness."

"By forgiving, God does more than wipe away the offense," Brother Alois added. "He gives a new life in his friendship, rekindled day and night by the Holy Spirit.

"Welcoming and sharing God’s forgiveness is the road that Christ has opened. We move forward on it in spite of our weaknesses and our wounds. Christ does not turn us into women and men who have already reached the goal. [...]

"And we can all make this discovery: Forgiveness received or extended creates joy. Knowing that one is forgiven is perhaps one of the deepest, most liberating of joys. It is the source of the inner peace that Christ wants to communicate to us. That peace will lead us far; it will radiate outwards for others and for the world."

To communicate hope: the Mission of the Taize Monks

TAIZÉ AWAITS 30,000 YOUTH IN ROTTERDAM

The following comes from Zenit.org:

Continuing with an itinerary that has spanned from Poznan, to Brussels, Geneva, Zagreb, Milan, Lisbon, Hamburg, Budapest and Paris, this year the 33rd European meeting organized by the Taizé Community will be held in Rotterdam.

The Dec. 28-Jan. 1 event is expected to bring 30,000 young people to the city, at the invitation of the Bishops Conference of the Netherlands, the General Council of the Dutch Protestant Church and the Netherlands Council of Churches.

Some 150 churches will host the youth in the mornings. For the afternoons of the 5-day event, the young people will join at an exhibition center for meals and prayer.

"The afternoon workshops will allow young people to reflect on the sources of faith and their commitment to serve Christ in the Church and in society," a statement from the community explained. "Some topics will be inspired by the 'Letter from Chile' that Brother Alois, the prior of Taizé, will issue following a meeting of Latin American youth led by the Taizé Community in Santiago, Chile, from Dec. 8-12."

A detailed program of the Rotterdam meeting as well as Brother Alois' letter will be available in the coming weeks at the Taize Web site.

To communicate hope: the Mission of the Taize Monks

Taize Celebrates Anniversaries

The Taize community is remembering its founding and the death of Brother Roger its founder. The following comes from the CNA:

The Taize community in central France will mark two important anniversaries on Saturday with a prayerful celebration. Five years after their founder's murder, the community works to carry out his vision of reaching out to those seeking to live every day as "a day for God."

Taize community's spokesman, Brother David, told CNA that 5,000 people will be with them for Saturday's celebration of the double anniversary of Br. Roger Schutz' death in 2005 and the 70th year of the community he founded.

Four thousand young people have been there since last Sunday, spending their days taking part in community activities, reflecting on bible verses, praying in a large group three times daily and also completing practical tasks to keep the place running. This is the normal routine for visitors, who come for a week at a time.

Br. David said that while July and August are their busiest months, they host visitors from all Christian backgrounds every week of the year except for the week after Christmas, when they host a celebration in a major city. "For us," he said, "it's kind of a mystery that they come week after week." But, he noted, by word-of-mouth, experiences get passed on and people keep showing up, many to return.

About 1,000 more people from the area will join the 4,000 temporary residents for Saturday's celebration. Beginning evening prayer at 7:30 p.m. in fields close to the village, the participants will make a pilgrimage to the community's Church of the Reconciliation, passing by the Brother Roger's grave on the way. Once at the church they will read and reflect on the Gospel of the resurrection.

Recalling the founder's legacy, the Taize spokesman said, "we are very thankful what Brother Roger gave us. His desire to search ... he hosted many people who came on a search."

He began the community in 1940 as World War II raged, leaving many refugees in need of care and direction. The community, now with around 100 brothers, maintains his original vision of providing a place of reflection for people of all faiths and backgrounds both in Taize and at their five other houses around the globe.

"The point," explained Br. David, "is to help them on this search, listen, answer questions. What we would like is to help them to meet Christ, to discover Christ. ... that they will find for themselves the answers for the questions they bring (with them)."

He remembered that Br. Roger used to stress the importance of remaining rooted in the "essential - in our vocation - and to see the reality, not to be closed in the way we do things, be too formal in the things we do ... to remain faithful to it and live it in the place we are."

The founder would often ask aloud how to better live their faith, being aware of the present and their surroundings to live every day "as a day for God," Br. David described.

"There's a continuity that things not remain locked in place, that every day we can search and his perspective is very important for us," said the spokesman. "The world changes, people change but Christ remains the same."

Jesus, Remember Me