Africa
When we arrived in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, late on the Friday afternoon, it was a great surprise to see already over half of the pews removed from their usual place in the nave of the church! A whole team of young people from local schools who come regularly to Taizé had come straight from their lessons to lend an arm and a shoulder to what had seemed like a huge task. But in that way, a large open space was quickly created in the centre of the building, soon to be covered with carpet and cushions. Next came the decoration of the choir of the church. Orange cloth was suspended from the ceiling, icons set in place and candles put throughout the sanctuary. The good will of so many people enabled us, using very simple means, to finish transforming the building just as the first pilgrims began to arrive.
As we sang our first song, “Laudate Omnes Gentes”, there really was a feeling of “all the people” being present: many young people from Dublin and from other parts of Ireland, children with their parents, church leaders, some young adults who had come from abroad especially for the prayer, but also many “New Irish” - students and workers from Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, France, Spain and other countries who have settled in Ireland in the past few years.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, spoke words of welcome to the brothers, to the representatives of the different churches who were present and to all who had come to share in the prayer.
Commenting on the Bible reading from John 20.19-23 and referring to the Icon of Friendship, which was given to young adults from Ireland during the Zagreb European meeting of 2006-2007, in his address, Brother Alois said: “The Risen Christ passes through our own locked doors, taking away our fear of others. He brings us together in a single communion, the communion of the Church. Let us therefore broaden this friendship and go beyond the divisions which still remain! Let us do everything possible to make it clearer that the Church is a place of friendship for all, especially for the vulnerable, the lonely or foreigners!”
After the time of silence and intercessions, a traditional Irish song “Ag Críost an Siol”, celebrating the presence of Christ in all things of everyday life, was sung. The prayer around the icon of the cross was a moment of great intensity. Many people came to pray and as the children lit their tapers a little later, as the celebration of the resurrection began, there was a real sense of moving from darkness towards the light. Yes, as Brother Alois said: “As the Risen One, Christ walks with every human being. He never imposes himself, but remains humbly at our side. He never ceases in seeking our friendship.”
© Photos John McElroy.
Brother Alois’ address
Dublin, St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Friday 25 April 2008
It really is a great joy for us brothers to pray with you here in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Despite the distance that separates us, young people from Ireland come regularly all the way to Taizé. That makes us even more grateful for the chance to visit you in Dublin this evening, and then to go to Belfast tomorrow.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped prepare this meeting and especially Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for his kind hospitality.
We are faced today with a great challenge. Modernity is accelerating the rhythm of everyday life and is profoundly changing society and our ways of acting. The new possibilities that it opens for us are marvellous and we certainly don’t want to reject them. But a deeper rooting of our being is essential so that technical and economic progress can go hand in hand with a greater humanity. Where do we sink our roots? From which source do we live?
This evening, we are gathered together so that we can journey towards that source. It is to be found in a personal communion with Christ Jesus and in a trust in his love.
In a time when many people are tempted by discouragement or scepticism, we would like the dynamic of the Resurrection to propel us forward! The Resurrection of Christ is like a beacon which sheds light on the meaning of our life and kindles hope for the world.
It just so happens that this weekend, we can share the joy of Christians from the Orthodox Church, who follow a different liturgical calender, as they celebrate at this very moment the death and resurrection of Christ. This occasion reminds us of the treasures of faith that the Eastern Christians can share with us. Yes, we can go further in an exchange of gifts among all the baptised. In Christ, we belong to one another.
As the Risen One, Christ walks with every human being. He never imposes himself, but remains humbly at our side. He never ceases in seeking our friendship. It is granted to all of us to experience such a friendship with Christ. Not for nothing in the Gospel does he say to us “I no longer call you servants. I call you friends.”
In the church this evening, there is an icon which expresses this. It is called the Icon of Friendship and comes from Egypt. It dates from the sixth century. When we look at this icon, we are already praying and that prayer unites us to God. We can see Christ placing his hand on the shoulder of his friend in order to walk with him.
We experience this friendship with each other as well. The Risen Christ passes through our own locked doors, taking away our fear of others. He brings us together in a single communion, the communion of the Church. Let us therefore broaden this friendship and go beyond the divisions which still remain! Let us do everything possible to make it clearer that the Church is a place of friendship for all, especially for the vulnerable, the lonely or foreigners!
Last year, we gave this Icon of Friendship to young adults from Ireland. You can take it with you on little pilgrimages of trust to places where young people meet, from one town to the next, from one parish to another, to hospitals or centres for youth in difficulty, and to other places where people suffer.
Friendship with Christ brings us together with people who are so different. At first sight, we might find it difficult to choose them as friends. And yet, through Christ, a friendship more profound than spontaneous affinity can be created.
Therefore, when you gather to pray together, dare to invite young adults who usually don’t meet each other and especially those who are seeking faith. In our secularised society, it is you young people who can convey to others the hope of the Gospel. So many people are thirsting for that hope, though they are not always able to express it.
Living from the friendship of Christ! This can become the yeast of peace and reconciliation within the whole human family. To illustrate this, I’d like to share something more personal with you. In our Community in Taizé, we’re filled with wonder, because we come from so many different cultures and yet are able to persevere in a common life together, in which we seek to share everything.
A few months ago, one of our brothers set off for Africa. He comes from Togo and went to visit the Christians of his homeland and the neighbouring countries. When I said goodbye to him in my room, I was filled with a deep gratitude and admiration for this brother. As someone so rooted in his own country, he has made an enormous step in coming to share in the life of our community in Europe.
Through his presence among us, this African brother shows us that it is Christ who gathers us together.
In this way, our little community is able to pursue this “Pilgrimage of Trust”, which began over thirty years ago. Many young adults spread out across the world take part in it everyday by seeking to create ties of friendship which go beyond the existing divisions.
Stage after stage, this pilgrimage unites young adults in Taizé or elsewhere: this week in Ireland, next month in Romania. At the end of November, we will be in Nairobi, in Kenya, and then at the end of this year in Brussels for our European Meeting.
Yes, sometimes we have to go towards new horizons, close at hand or further afield, in order to discover, or rediscover the hope of the Gospel. Our world, ravaged by so much suffering, needs women and men who radiate God’s peace through their lives. Let us therefore make those bold decisions which will enable us to advance on the path of love and trusting.