York Minster

Taizé Common Prayer at York Minster

Published Monday 8th January 2007 by Daphne Wood

Below - Daphne Wood, Organiser of the Taizé service in York Minster, describes the history of Taizé worship and discusses what is special about Taizé Common Prayer at the Minster:

Taizé is a small hamlet in Burgundy, France, yet the name is known internationally.

In 1940,  Brother Roger, a Swiss Protestant, settled alone in Taizé.  He wanted above all to help people going through difficulties.  He offered hospitality to refugees, especially Jews.

Brother Roger was astonished to see Christians using up so much energy in justifying the things which brought them into conflict, while all the time referring to a God of love. He thought that in order to communicate Christ to others, what could be more transparent than actually giving their lives, accomplishing reconciliation in practical ways day after day.  So he believed it was essential to create a community of men who had decided to give their entire life and who constantly seek to be reconciled. 

Brother Roger intended to create a community that would be a ”parable of  communion”.  Today the community numbers more than one hundred brothers, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, from twenty-five countries.  Small groups of brothers also live among the poor in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Sadly Brother Roger died in Taizé in August 2005.  We thank God for his life and work and pray for his successor Brother Alois.

Since the end of the 1950’s tens of thousands of young people from every continent and adults too, come to Taizé, usually to stay for a week, living simply and gathering with the brothers three times a day for Common Prayer in the huge Church of Reconciliation.  They come to reflect on the sources of the faith, to pray, to look for meaning for their life and to prepare themselves to be creators of trust and reconciliation in the places where they live.

Worship in the style of the Taizé Community happens all over the world and at the Parish Church of St. Chad on the Knavesmire, York.  The Parish was invited to arrange a service in York Minster in 2004 and in subsequent years.  We are planning now for the evening of Sunday 28th January 2007.  All are welcome.

What is special about Taizé worship in the Minster?  One enters at the West door to the enormity of the vast hallowed space of the Nave, subdued lighting, flickering candles, the “empty” cross central on the floor surrounded by chairs waiting for God’s people. The music, the singing of short chants, repeated again and again give a meditative character.  These few words express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind, penetrating the whole being, a way of listening to God.

The service flows unannounced following the pattern of  prayerful chants, readings and intercessions and silences.  Individuals place their lighted candles on the central cross, symbolising reconciliation and peace through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, and many remain there praying.  The Cross becomes a dazzling runway of light.

Taizé style of worship provides a corporate act of worship of people of all age-groups, of any tradition and none.  Its simplicity, its informal structure is an opportunity to escape from busyness,  to reflect and to pray,  to honour God and to love one another,  to rest a while,  to be refreshed,  to be reconciled and so to be at peace as we once more go out into the world to live and work to His praise and glory.

Daphne Wood

There will be a service of Taizé Common Prayer at York Minster on Sunday 28th January 2007 at 6.30pm.