Below you will find photos of the Taizé community in the Burgundy Region. I first learned of Taizé when my church in Minneapolis, Westminster Presbyterian, began offering Taizé-style services during Lent. At some point in the past year, as I mentioned this year in France, a few people brought this community up and said I needed to go. I know I didn't give it the time that it deserved but I'm still glad to have made it.
Taizé is an international, ecumenical community founded by a Swiss Catholic priest, brother Roger during the Second World War. It focuses on involvement in the world and meditational prayer. (Click on Taizé to learn more from their website.)
Clearly, we were there during the wrong season. Pictures and postcards show this place packed in the summer. There is a focus on teens and young adults (20s and 30s) though there is something for everyone: adults, families, and teens. However, people still live here all year round and we got the impression during our short visit that kids were on school vacations here working/praying. There are prayer services every day, in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Here you see my friend, JJ, entering the Sanctuary (which can become quite enormous for the times they need more space. And of course, you see the interesting Sanctuary on the inside.
For me, this was something I wanted to do while in France and it was even more meaningful to be there with JJ, someone who has been a part of my church experience off and on for the past 20 years. (He might say more off than on, but that is a different story.) I don't know where I am on this journey right now, but this short visit to Taizé was a nice break on a long trip.
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