Taizé

Taize is a monastic community located in Taize ,France, founded in the 1940's by a Swiss named Roger Schutz-Marsauche, who became Brother Roger. The brothers of Taizé have taken a vow of celibacy and are committed to a lifetime of simplicity, service and community. They earn their living from their work, they receive funds from sales of books and music , and also run a pottery. They do not accept donations.

There is an ecumenical emphasis at Taize, as expressed on their official website, www.taize.fr/en which says the community wants its life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples. Every year many thousands of young people descend on Taize from all denominations to share in worship and study.

The contemplative worship practices of the Taize community are promoted at an annual international conference. Taize worship is being incorporated in a wide variety of churches, both Protestant and Catholic and its pattern of devotion is emulated in other monastic communities around the world. 

A Taize worship service involves sung and chanted prayers, meditation, a period of silence, liturgical readings, and use of candles. There is no preaching. The style of prayer practiced at Taize has attracted many worshippers from around the globe and from many different denominations. Such is the popularity of the Taize chants no less than 9 of them have been incorporated in our standard hymn book.

So if sometimes the pace of life seems just too fast, or you just need a bit of space , why not give Taize a try?