A pilgrimage of trust on earth

First of all a meeting

During the European meeting in Zagreb - one of the recent stages in the pilgrimage of trust on earth – Croatian families welcomed into their homes some of the young Serbians who had come for the five days of prayer and sharing; so soon after the war that had torn these two peoples apart.

Previously, after the Lisbon meeting, one of the young adults described the “festival of nations” held on 31 December, “At the sound of midnight, everyone embraces. Good wishes are exchanged in all the languages. New friends look for one another in the crowd. Around a huge bonfire, we sing, thank each other for the meeting, for the welcome, for the gifts we’ve exchanged.”

The pilgrimage of trust is first of all a meeting; with the Risen Christ and with others. Thanks to the times of prayer together, we make ourselves available for God. Through sharing and hospitality, everyone agrees to overcome barriers and differences in order to welcome and enrich one another.

Inner life and human solidarity

“As we continue the “pilgrimage of trust on earth” that brings together young people from many countries, we understand more and more deeply this reality: all humanity forms a single family and God lives within every human being without exception.” (Brother Alois, Letter from Kolkata)

For Brother Roger, it was essential not to organize a movement around the community. On the contrary, after taking part in one of the stages of the pilgrimage of trust, each person is invited to go home and live out what he or she has grasped of the Gospel; and to do this with an increased awareness of the life that dwells within them and of the practical gestures of solidarity they can put into practice in their own immediate environment. In many countries, young adults come together on a regular basis for prayer with songs from Taizé, whilst remaining in touch with the reality of the local Church.

When the meetings in Taizé permit, brothers go off to visit these young people, to support them in their quest. These meetings are like small steps in the pilgrimage of trust; they make it possible to deepen our commitment together in the Church, and to visit local churches.

The brothers wish to support the search for peace and reconciliation wherever it exists. In this way, the pilgrimage of trust appears to widen out more and more, “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1.8). Recently, meetings for young adults have been organized in Asia, in Kolkata, India, and in South America, in Cochabamba, Bolivia. At the end of each year, a very large meeting is held in one of the major cities of Europe.

Some of the brothers live far away from Taizé, mainly among the very poor; they work among prisoners in Seoul, South Korea, care for the deaf and dumb in Brazil, bring relief to the disabled in Bangladesh, welcome numerous children in Dakar, Senegal…. The existence of these “Taizé houses” is based on prayer and fraternal life.

Trust on earth

In this section of the web site can be found announcements of upcoming meetings, visits by brothers to different countries, accounts of recent meetings, with practical examples of human solidarity, and echoes of the life of the brothers in Africa, South America and Asia.

During his visits to other continents, Brother Alois prepares an open letter which he publishes during the European meeting at the end of the year. This letter serves as a basis for reflection in the meetings, held in Taizé and elsewhere, throughout the following year. Letter from China

The Letter from Taizé, published four times a year in 17 languages, is a means of support for prayer and reflection, within the context of the pilgrimage of trust.

News from Taizé by email, approximately twice a month, brings news on what is happening in Taizé and in many countries; announcements of forthcoming meetings, and mentions some of the latest updates on the web site.