Taizé, France: A Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth

Preparation for Taizé: Coming to Taizé most of us were pretty apprehensive because we were heard life in Taizé was VERY simple. For example, we bought a lot of food before coming because we heard the only food we would be getting was donated. We were also told to shower up because we were unsure about the facilities and we were told to bundle up and bring our own sheets & towels.

Taizé Community: “Coming to Taizé is an opportunity to seek communion with God through common prayer, singing, personal reflection and sharing. Everyone is here to discover or rediscover a meaning for their life and to find a new vitality. Being in Taizé is also a preparation for taking on responsibilities back at home with a view to being bearers of peace and trust. As you arrive at Taizé, you are welcomed by a community of brothers who have made a lifelong commitment to follow Christ in common life and celibacy, in simplicity of life.”

Daily Schedule:
Sunday through Friday
7:00 a.m. ~ Wake up call (To shower or not to shower?)
8:15 a.m. ~ Morning Prayer (Chants, Silence, Bible Verse, Communion, and Prayer)

The Church of Reconciliation

One of many Stained-Glass Windows

9:15 a.m. ~ Breakfast (Bread, butter, and jam)
10:00 a.m. ~ Chores (Cleaning bathrooms, scrubbing walls, sweeping, washing windows, and changing sheets, etc.)

Chores!

12:20 p.m. ~ Midday Prayer (Chants, Silence, Bible Verse, Prayer)
1:00 p.m. ~ Lunch (Biggest meal of the day)
2:00 p.m. ~ Song Practice (Not mandatory, but highly recommended…)
2:45 p.m. ~ Bible Study (Lead by Brother Lorenzo…Whistle Whistle! We met as a group for an hour, then broke up into small groups with people all around the world to discuss Bible passages)
5:15 p.m. ~ Snack (Coffee, Hot Chocolate, or Tea)
5:45 p.m. ~ Workshops (Our class discussions were held at these times or after chores if we had time. On the 20th we watched the inauguration of Obama and another day we spoke to Brother John, a California native, to talk about a day in the life of a monk)
7:00 p.m. ~ Supper (Let’s just say one night we were served ONE chicken nugget, a scoop of mashed potatoes, a slice of bread, and hot water…)

A typical meal at Taizé

8:30 p.m. ~ Evening Prayer then silence (A good time for relaxing, journaling, and meditating)

Special Event: It was a big week at Taizé because it was Madame Caldwell's "29th" birthday! Pastor Mike had to secretly coax her from Wednesday nights worship service to attend her surprise birthday party! We gathered in a spare room and had two different cakes and a new scarf waiting for her. We ended the party with music and song from anyone willing to share their talents!

Madame Caldwell & Pastor Mike

Appreciation for Change: By the end of the week, there was a new understanding of life in Taizé. We came to appreciate and respect the Taizé community as well as the people who volunteer and travel from all over the world to stay there. Brother John reminded us during our meeting of how long we thought the silence was during our first prayer on Sunday (approximately 8-10 minutes). By the end of the week the time for silence seemed shorter. Brother John said, “The amount of time spent in silence hasn’t changed, it is you that has changed.” Taking the time to be in silence and living simply has had a really positive effect on all of us that we want to take with us forever.