Friday, August 7 2009
DSJ Youth Justice Awareness Week
August 3, 2009 - August 7, 2009
Contact: Dcn. Steve Herrera (immersion@dsj.org)
An invitation to a Taizé prayer service
What is Taizé?
In 1940, a group of religious brothers started an ecumenical community for contemplation and the reconciliation of Christians of all faiths in Taizé, France. It has grown since and drawn tens of thousands of people from all parts of the world. They come as part of their search for trust and communication in their lives. An important part of the Taizé experience is the singing of simple meditative songs that were developed for their prayer services.
What is Taizé Prayer?
The prayer is flexible and has no real beginning or end. Songs are repeated over and over again to help us enter into the contemplation of the presence of God. The simple phrases are easily memorized.
In the music and prayer of Taizé, many different languages are used to reflect both the international and ecumenical nature of the community. It serves as a reminder that we are all part of one, universal Church of Christ.
Why Taizé?
In this busy world, we need to nourish ourselves more and more on Christ himself, who is the source of all grace and wisdom. The prayer tradition of Taizé, based on the monastic hours of prayer each day, can help us let go of our own preoccupations and get in touch with spiritual realities.
What Can I Expect?
People may kneel or sit, taking whatever posture is most comfortable for them. Taizé at Saint Joseph of Cupertino combines candlelight, silence, veneration of the Cross and scripture with simple chants to help build awareness of God's presence in ourselves and in community.