Friday, May 25, 2012

Venite Exultamus

A group of young adults are journeying from Sioux Falls to Chicago for a chance to study, learn and pray with the brothers of Taize, France this weekend. Taize is an amazing community of faith. The brothers come from a variety of faith backgrounds and have created an ecumenical faith community. The brothers call their monastic style a parable of community. What I find fascinating is they don't accept donations-they live off their work. The monastery was formed about 70 years ago, and one of their guiding principals is reconciliation.
Their style of worship has spread throughout the world. The founder, Brother Rodger, thought that there was too much speaking in worship, so he changed that up. The service focuses on singing, chants, scripture readings and silence.
Since the 1960's, young adults have gone to Taize to study, pray and meditate with the brothers. Today, thousands still flock to Taize, and the brothers have begun to hold events elsewhere in the world. This weekend, one is being held in Chicago (http://www.taize.fr/en_article12737.html) and an amazing group of young people from my diocese are attending. It bestills my heart seeing college age kids deepening their faith, when so many of their peers choose to walk away.
To send them off proper, Little Man and I attended a prayer service in the style of Taize last night. The church was beautiful, filled with candlelight and incense. There is something mystical about group silence and song for me. The you tube video is from a Taize style service in Fukashima, Japan following the earthquake and gives a great example of what the service is like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSb0pkTuUbs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Little Man made a card to send off the pilgrims and we made blueberry flax muffins for their journey.
May they go in peace and return in peace.


Update: the Washington Post interviewed some of the group we sent off last night!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/taize-movement-brings-throwback-appeal-to-us/2012/05/24/gJQAUygvnU_story.html

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