The ecumenical experience, bringing all young Christians together from around the world, seems to automatically deepen faith and relationship with God. Pope Benedict on his recent visit to the UK speaks of the importance of ecumenical dialogue: ‘we must give thanks for the remarkable progress made towards this noble goal through the efforts of committed Christians of every denomination’. Seeing the friendships that develop over the week and the sharing of faith and community has been a real privilege to facilitate.
The simplicity of the Taizé Community, in comparison with the very complex and materialistic society we live in, enables us to truly value what is important. The opportunity to sit in silence with 5000 others in faith enables us to really listen to God and let His Holy Spirit work within us. ‘Jesus is always there, quietly waiting for us to be still with Him and to hear His voice. Deep within your heart, He is calling you to spend time with Him in prayer.’ (Pope Benedict addressing young people at Westminster Cathedral piazza urging them to make time for silent prayer daily.)
Taizé is essentially a Catholic pilgrimage in all but name. This year, and for the past almost thirty years, Bishop Michael Evans from East Anglia led the Catholics saying Sunday Mass for the 5000 pilgrims: all are called to share in the power of the Mass and are able to receive Holy Communion. Daily Communion is also available as it is consecrated at the voluntary Masses for the fervent at 7am! The devotion to Mary too is comforting, with her image rightly displayed at the front of the Church, with an outdoor shrine to accompany it. Taizé provides an opportunity for non-Catholics to be introduced to a Catholic style of worship, sharing in the Mass, whilst committed Catholics too gain a new perspective on their own faith.
If you are not sure what to do in the summer of 2011 why not consider a week in Taizé? The Birmingham Catholic Youth Service will be taking a group from our Diocese from 23 July to 1 August at a cost of £189. This cost includes transport (by coach), food and camping in Taizé. If you would like more information on this Pilgrimage then please contact Claire Swaffield Area Youth Officer for Wolverhampton and the Black Country on
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or your Area Youth Officer.
The main thing that hits you when you are at Taizé is the prayer with the communityThis summer I went to Taizé in France for a week with a group from the Archdiocese. I’d been there a few times before and so was looking forward to going with Birmingham Catholic Youth Service. Overall we had a great experience, getting to know Christ better, finding new ways of praying, and having fun on the way.
Our group was really good, with everyone being open, helpful and prayerful. Getting there by coach overnight was a bit crazy but it’s the best way to get to chat to others in the group. When you’ve recovered from sleep deprivation from the coach ride on the first morning you realize the Taizé village is set in lovely countryside, a bit like the Shropshire hills, with fields of sunflowers nearby and beautiful hills in the surrounding valley. There is a lake on-site, set in a forest, where you can go to relax and pray. We camped on-site and you have to queue for a while for fairly basic food, but it is amazing how you just get on with this and how again, it helps you to get to know people.
The main thing that hits you when you are at Taizé is the prayer with the community. It’s like nothing you have experienced before – sitting down with the Taizé religious brothers and about 4000 young people from all over Europe, three times a day for good chunks of time. This may seem full on but you immediately get taken up into it with the simple singing, bible readings in different languages leading up to a silent part of prayer. Many of the young people there don’t have much to do with the Church but they are taken up by it all and given a fresh way to approach God. The Mass first thing in the morning is also very special, again in different languages.
An important part of each day is also listening to a bible introduction by one of the Taizé brothers that is straightforward but deep. A discussion group follows this with people from different countries and backgrounds. It is easy to make friends this way with people you can keep in touch afterwards, and makes you realize how much you have in common with people from different cultures. The Taizé community brothers are both Catholic and Protestant and although talking together in groups reminds us of what painfully still keeps Christians apart; it also shows how much we share in Christ.
It’s not all religion though! We spent quite a while together as a group, putting together a song for the English pilgrim get-together and playing football with East Anglia Diocese. We almost won the match but with injuries and the sun in our eyes, we let them get ahead with a final score of 4-2. There were also some good musical jamming sessions in the evenings.
Overall, Taizé is an awesome experience that helps you get to know God better though prayer, chill out, meet people and think about your life. Get there if you have a chance!
Fr Paul Smith
Assistant Priest, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch
CAFOD’s slogan ‘Just One World’ captures the Taizé experience nicely. Exchanging my day job as CAFOD Birmingham’s Youth Officer for a week of camping with Birmingham young adults themselves (in a truly international community) has energised my spirits and has left me more determined to work towards a better world. Not only was I encouraged by the many recycling points on-site and the not-for-profit social venue (a hot chocolate after evening prayer will set you back a mere 0.35 cent) but I felt Taizé captured in a unique way the call on the church to live more simply in a world driven by excess and consumerism. The community feeds everyone on site (up to 5000 people) three times day, and whilst portions are small and somewhat bland by usual standards, it was humbling to remember that for the majority of the world monotony of diet is the least of the problems.
But even more than all of this, I loved meeting young people and young adults who care about our world. Whilst we were away I had the chance to share some of my experiences visiting CAFOD partners in Kenya and also the latest CAFOD campaign ‘Act on Poverty’ (http://www.cafod.org.uk/policy-campaigns/action-pack). Some of the pledges and messages made by the group were heartening indeed for the future of our world: ‘Is it fair that not every child can go to school and learn a skill for work?’, ‘Love thy neighbour – those you cannot see!’, ‘I will buy fair trade chocolate, please do too!’, ‘We seek a world transformed, a world where riches are freely shared and all may live life to the full’. The challenge upon my return is to sustain and act on this passion for renewing the earth: rereading some of these inspiring messages is a good place for me to start.
Ali Ahmad (
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)
– do get in touch if you want a CAFOD session or CAFOD resources for young people.
Taizé: I’m sure no one can imagine the power of faith that unites 5000 people from all over the world in one small minimalistic, basic village in France, but it’s the faith in all of us that grows and develops throughout the week. A faith of understanding, greater knowledge and respect, that gives all insight and judgement on faith, God, decisions and life both present and future. A great impact and presence on all the visitors.
Martha Sowter
For me Taizé was a wonderful experience. Particularly enjoyed being in a Bible study group with other young people from different countries. It made me realise that our faith is strong for many young people.
Ciaran Page
Taizé was an amazing experience. It is different and helped me explore my faith a lot more.
Kerri Delaney
Taizé was a great spiritual experience for me, it deepened my relationship with God and provided me with ways of keeping a close relationship with Him.
Corrine McKenna
Taizé was an out of this world experience. It helped me to understand the importance of silence in my life and how the Holy Spirit works through others.
Hannah Parry
Taizé was a completely different experience to what I expected and it felt amazing to be part of such a large community.
Hannah Chawner
I went to Taizé to find a purpose and an answer to my questions. As the week progressed, so did my faith and I think I have found what I was sent to find.
Katie Turner
Taizé taught me so many things about my faith that will stay with me forever. It has allowed me to be more open towards God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Claire Capper
One’s first time in Taizé is a real culture shock. This is how I imagined a refugee camp would feel. Queuing up for a scoop of food and a crust of bread. Yet it is through this simplicity that you can really experience community: you talk to strangers (English speaking or otherwise), invent games and sing songs and later join thousands of other youngsters in prayer. A very humbling and spiritual experience.
Stephen Harris
Taizé really let’s everyone open up and share their life experiences, which was great as it made it very easy to make friendships. These friendships are sure to be forever as Taizé enabled special bonds between people. It was really quite amazing to see and hear 5000 people gather together to express their faith so easily and openly.
Megan Shenton
Taizé was recommended to me by a friend and I had no idea what to expect, it was more than I could ever imagine. The experience of praying with 5000 other young Christians was incredibly powerful and deeply spiritual. I will always remember my time in Taizé and friends I’ve made.
Lizzie Cummings
Taizé has allowed me to find myself, figure out who I am and what I want from life. It’s the most peaceful and calming place I’ve ever been to with some of the most amazing people from all over the world. A complete life-changing experience on my perspectives, life and beliefs.
Anonymous
Taizé for me is the only place in the world where I know 5000 people meet and sit in silence all in one place, its so peaceful. Taizé really brings the best out in people and makes you feel spiritually closer to God. I have been six years running with the Catholic Youth Service and each time has been different, but the one thing that is the same is that something keeps drawing me back. You really need to experience it for yourself.
Stuart Talbot
Taizé is truly a magnificent place. There is a mystical feeling there that frees you of everyday burdens and revitalises the soul. You leave feeling refreshed and ready to face the world again, but some addictive feeling always calls you back each year, again and again. Thank you BCYS for this opportunity.
Anonymous
Taizé is a trip which could never be described effectively by words alone! An opportunity that should not be passed by any person looking to explore their faith.
Christine Rose
Taizé is completely different to anything I have experienced in regards to my faith. The simplicity of the place is not only a reality check but also such an effective way to focus energy on God and relax from the hectic lifestyle back home. There is a huge presence of the Holy Spirit.
Anonymous
I went to Taizé because I wanted to renew my faith: I had almost lost contact with the Lord God. From the moment I walked into the Church and heard the beauty of over 5000 combined prayers, I already felt the distance between the Lord and myself. Living simply, night vigils and other aspects, meant that God was all I thought about for a whole week! Now I’m back home, I still feel the Lord and His love ever present at my side. It was the best thing I could have done in the summer of 2010 and I beg, even those without faith, to go. Anonymous
