Taizé is an ecumenical service of prayer and meditative singing based on the style
of worship from the Taizé community in southern France. This is a very contemplative
service with simple prayers, opportunity for silent meditation, and meditative songs
that allows a wide diversity of Christians to gather for worship. Part of the Taizé
experience is its unique, prayerful music and the use of many candles and icons
to create an inviting and meditative space that focuses our attention on prayer
to Christ in communion with one another and God.
Taizé, in the south of Burgundy, France, is the home of an international, ecumenical
community, founded there in 1940 by Brother Roger. The brothers are committed for
their whole life to material and spiritual sharing, to celibacy, and to a great
simplicity of life. Today, the community is made up of over a hundred brothers,
Catholics, and from various Protestant backgrounds, from more than twenty-five nations.
Since the late 1950s, many thousands of young adults from many countries have found
their way to Taizé to take part in weekly meetings of prayer and reflection. In
addition, Taizé brothers make visits and lead meetings, large and small, in Africa,
North and South America, Asia, and in Europe, as part of a “pilgrimage of trust
on earth”.
To learn more about Taizé, visit the
Taizé website.