A service of music and prayers in the style of Taizé, this Sunday, November 5 at
6:30 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish.
Born out of wartime suffering in 1940, a Reformed Protestant from Switzerland, Brother Roger, founded a small community of men committed to a life of service and prayer among the poverty and fear of occupied France. He hoped the monks of this community would become “signs of the presence of Christ” and “bearers of joy.” In later years Catholics and Anglicans joined the Reformed members, and Taizé now lives into Brother Roger’s ecumenical vision in their home in the Burgundy region of France, and in their satellite communities around the world.
Since the mid-1960’s the community of Taizé (pronounced teh-ZAY) has become a pilgrimage site for mostly young people, with nearly 100,000 visitors each year now. The music of Taizé sprang from a desire to welcome these pilgrims during worship with a simple form of chanted prayer which could reach across the many languages and religions represented by the pilgrims. Simple phrases and harmonies, repeated, sometimes in canon, became another way to pray and connect with God.
As with chanting in any spiritual tradition, the sound of the human voice sends vibrations through the body, permeating all of our cells, becoming a practice which calms the mind and frees us to listen more closely for God’s voice. The chants can be sung in many languages, but are often set with words in Latin. As a language which belongs to no one, Latin can be a language which is available to everyone. Simply knowing that the words are holy, that they often come from the psalms or recall the life and works of Jesus, can be enough sometimes. Singing in Latin can take our focus off the text, allowing our voice to be more fully in communion with God’s voice.
In the context of an evening service which is, in part, a commemoration of All Saints and All Souls, singing the contemplative chants of Taizé can sometimes take us to a place of darkness and grief. I hope you will allow the darkness of an evening service to create a feeling of being cocooned by God’s love. Like the healing power of sleep, change, growth, and beauty can emerge from the darkness of a cocoon. And perhaps there will be a moment during the singing when someone finds that they are drawn from their cocoon, into the radiant light of God’s healing touch.
Find five minutes, if you can, to watch this video of photos and music from the Taizé community. Sit quietly, breathe, be present with God.
Peace,
Sonya
Notes for a New Day 
Dear Sonya– So sorry I cannot be there. I’m enthralled w Taize. Remember you held a workshop with a couple of brothers donkey-years ago…. Also, I remember a Maundy Thursday tradition at St. Albans during Frank’s time…. We’d go out after the washing/supper to the school’s Peace Cross or Bishop’s Garden and do some similar four-part chants. I wonder if that was Taize?? Alas I’m in Bob Shafer’s City Choir of Wx; we’re doing Bruckner Mass in F Minor at the same time. Shaffran solos. How do you like St Johns, and how long will you be there? (Pour moi, I’m adrift parish-wise.) Blessings, Phil Kopper
Original Message—–
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Thanks Phil. Nice to hear from you. I’ll be at St. John’s through December. Sorry to miss your Bruckner.
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