Reflections on a Unique Community :   Your Vicar writes in the September magazine

“One passes through Taize as one passes close to a spring of water.  The traveller stops, quenches his thirst and continues on his way.”                                                                                        Pope Jean-Paul II

Until a couple of weeks ago, the above quote was just an intriguing impression of the late Pope about the Taize Community, based near Cluny, in the Burgundy region of France.  Now, it’s an experience in which I have shared!   I had heard much about this community and indeed we sometimes sing in church some Taize songs which are part of the community’s ‘trademark’. 

The Taize Community was founded by Brother Roger in 1944 because he had a vision for  community living of simplicity and kind-heartedness that would lead to overcoming divisions, particularly between Christians after the 2^nd world war.   He believed that through the reconciliation experienced in the community would come the energy to work to overcome some of the wider conflicts among the human family.  In 1940 he had bought a large house and lot of land in the German-occupied territory at a time when prices were low.  Several years later, Brother Roger was joined by a few other young men and together the Order was formed.  There are now over 100 brothers from 25 nations; when we were there, another was added to their number, and who originated from Bolivia.

We joined a group of young people from the Diocese – in fact, without them we would not have been able to go for the brothers give priority during the summer weeks to those in the 16-30 year age groups!   That week, over 5,000 young people from more than 70 countries made their way to Taize by coach, plane, train and quite possibly bicycle!  They mostly camped (I confess we didn’t!) and facilities were basic yet they had the most amazing fun.  The day centred around 3 prayer meetings: morning, midday and evening, in the Church of Reconciliation.  There we all sat on the floor, whatever our age, for nearly an hour each time.  The liturgy was simple, easy to follow and inclusive as we sang and heard scripture and prayers in several languages.  Simultaneous translation was available for many other languages – but you often saw people translating informally for others.

Imagine a large space occupied by more than 5,000 people!  The singing was harmonious, drawing us together but the silence was deafening and profound.  Whoever says that young people can’t ‘do’ silence, needs to experience the Church of Reconciliation.  It rolled over us – a blanket of peace, enveloping us all.   Here was a true sense of the living God, transcendent yet close.  Here we offered our prayers for the world, ourselves and our loved ones.  In that place of peace, one became so conscious of the suffering of all people - Muslim, Jew, Christian, and others, elsewhere, and the desire to draw them into our peace.

Simplicity, silence and solidarity are words to describe my experience of Taize.  Outside of the church, there was much fun to be enjoyed sharing with others one’s own culture – in dance, music, songs, experiences, opinions and fashion!   All were valid, all were to be respected.

Almost a year has passed since the death of Brother Roger in tragic circumstances but the simple life of the Community he founded rolls on in solidarity with the world that comes to visit for a week.  I believe that each person takes away with them a little of the gift of peace that the Community gives – and, in the vision of its founder, passes that on in the world.

It was truly a thirst quenching experience……

And so on we move onwards into the Autumn, with trust in God renewed and hope refreshed for our world.

With love and prayers

Sally