Beatitudes Community

Taizè Worship

Though we are many, we are of one body in the one Lord.

As war was raging across Europe, Roger Schütz crossed over the border from Switzerland to France and settled in the small community of Taizè, nestled in the hills of Burgundy.

Sixty years later I also travelled to Taizè, but rather than finding a sleepy village, I was following in the footsteps of many others who had been drawn to what this place had become in the intervening years.

Gradually over time, from its founding in 1940, an ecumenical Christian community begun by Br. Roger has blossomed in that place, now comprising more than one hundred brothers from both Protestant and Catholic traditions, who originate from about thirty countries across the world. This community has become one of the world’s most important sites of Christian pilgrimage. Each year over 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taizè for prayer, Bible study, sharing, and communal work. Through the community’s ecumenical outlook, they are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation. Unity and diversity have become synonymous in this remarkable place, which truly exemplifies that ‘though we are many, we are of one body in the one Lord’.

Some of my most abiding memories of Taizè are of its distinct style of worship. Since its beginnings, the Taizè community has been known for its reflective and contemplative style of worship, allowing for people of any faith background to dwell within the presence God. The simple Taizè practice of prayerful silence accompanied by music with words taken from scripture doesn’t belong to any one denomination or group, and so the distinctions and differences of history are left at the door of the church. The differences between those worshiping is not what is important, for that place shows that there is far more that unifies rather than divides us.

Here on this campus, we live amongst a colorful spectrum of faith. We have residents and staff who worship in communities and denominations across the Valley, as well as residents who worship alongside each other here on the campus. So wouldn’t it be a wonderful expression of our faith and love for one another to gather all of that diversity into a special act of worship! For that reason, the campus will be hosting a Taizè style prayer service on Saturday, August 1st, at 6PM in the Life Center. We are inviting members of our surrounding faith communities as well as all of our residents and staff to join together for this act of worship, where each and every person will be ‘at home’ in the presence of God. For many it will be something new, but for all, there will be an opportunity to abide in the love of God together as one family. I look forward to seeing you there.