Backlog: Taize

Before leaving the States, I made a list of the top places that I hoped to able to visit during my time here in Germany, many of which I have been able to check off during this trip, one being a visit to the Taize community. Wanting to do something intentional for Easter, Taize seemed like the appropriate place to spend Holy Week.

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Taize is a monastic ecumenical community of brothers, who share common community and desire life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and separated peoples (as taken from their website). Their community is open to young people, those aged between 16 and 29 to come and join them in prayer and bible study. I have seen church signs offering Taize prayer services and had even sung a few Taize songs before coming and knew that they attracted young people by the thousands to join them in prayer. My curiosity was high upon arrival!

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I arrived at the beginning of Easter week with about 3000 other young people, and ended the week with about 5000 other companions. Coming from the quietness of Chartres, this was a bit of a shock! The routine and life in Taize was simple. We joined three times a day for prayer, ate simple meals, participated in bible study and acquired a job for the week (I helped distribute the food, and feeding 5000 people in 30 minutes is a sight to be seen!). There was also plenty of time for reflection and stillness.

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A highlight of the week was meeting up with a friend who spent the entire month of March in Taize and sharing in daily walks and conversations. There are times when I find myself downright amazed at the people I have been priviledged to meet in life, and their willingness to share of bit of theirs with me.

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I also joined in choir practice each day. I have not sung in a choir since 5th grade, and while I still can't sing, it was pretty awesome to be able to see the harmony of voices come together and to pray not just through song, but in the actual way we sang. The prayers of the community have become a meaningful part of my own personal prayer life, and for that I am grateful.

I think that the actual town of Taize has about 20 people, what you see here is pretty much it.

After the morning storm

Easter life

A small French town. Notice the snow on the hill. Easter morning, we woke to huge snowflakes falling out of the sky (although, nothing like what you Clevelanders experienced last year!). I brought no winter jacket with me this trip- it was a bit chilly.