What is Taizé prayer?
Taizé prayer is a
quiet simple way of prayer designed for people of all Christian traditions.
These meditative candle lit services include simple chants sung repeatedly;
rich silence; and prayers of praise and intercession.
History of Taizé:
These prayer services emerged
from an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. Brother Roger, Taize's
founder, arrived in the village of Taizé, France in 1940. In the midst of World
War II, he dreamed of creating a community where reconciliation was a daily
reality. He began by giving shelter to refugees of the war, especially Jews.
Brother Roger recognized that the search for reconciliation was within each
individual as well as within the community. Initially, the Taizé founder lived
alone, until brothers from various Protestant and Roman Catholic backgrounds
followed. Today, as an ecumenical monastic community, Taizé is a sign of
reconciliation. People from around the world, especially young people, come to
Taizé looking for meaning in their lives as they prepare for responsibilities
in their own communities.