PhotosTopics for reflection
Upon their arrival in Poznań, on December 29, young adults coming from across Europe as well as from other continents for this stage of the "pilgrimage of trust on earth" will receive the "Letter from China" written by Brother Alois. The prior of Taizé has just spent three weeks visiting Christians in that country, and he will talk about this to the young people during the European meeting. "In every human being, a longing, a thirst for life in fullness"; "sorting out our desires" and "sharing what we have" are among the topics discussed in this letter and will form the basis for the times of sharing taking place each morning during the meeting in the 150 host parishes.
For the afternoons of December 30 and 31, the program for the meeting offers a list of twenty topics to be chosen from. "Paying attention to what is found in our depths," "God takes doubt and revolt seriously," "What are you doing with your freedom?” are expressions from the "Letter from China" which inspire some of these workshops. There will also be workshops on social themes, such as a "meeting with young people involved with the poorest to respect everyone’s dignity,” and cultural, including one that will present the "life and history of Poland through paintings of Jacek Malczewski (1854-1929)" and another with "testimonies of young people from Chile, the Philippines and India."
On the afternoon of January 1 meetings by country or region of origin will be held, with the theme: "Renewing our courage." These meetings, led by brothers of Taizé, will help people to discover local initiatives in order to continue the "pilgrimage of trust" on their return home.
During the meeting, participants will meet every day at 1:15pm and 7pm at the Poznań exhibition center (MTP) for common prayer, to be held in two large pavilions specially decorated for the occasion. Brother Alois will address the young people every night during the times of prayer time; these meditations will be published on this page
Messages of support
Several messages of support to the Taizé Community and the participants were received in Taizé and more are expected. Here are some excerpts:
From Pope Benedict XVI: The Pope trusts you to go and meet men and women who have lost the sense of God, who seek gropingly for Him, sometimes without realizing it. They need to encounter true witnesses, so that the face of Christ may shine for them. May God inspire the actions and words that will make accessible to others, when you return home to your countries, the hope that gives you life and the vitality that the Spirit wants to give to every human life!
From the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki Moon: I welcome your emphasis on community. Alone, we can achieve very little. But collective action can change the world for the better. I particularly welcome your emphasis at this year’s Pilgrimage on social issues, including the meaning of freedom. (…) Thank you for your support of that global mission, and for your own commitment to justice, solidarity and peace.
From the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso: The city of Poznań and Poland, which were selected by the Taizé Community for your gathering this year, evoke two crucial dates in our history: the outbreak of the Second World War in August 1939, and the fall of the Iron Curtain in the autumn of 1989, which allowed the return of democracy to Central Europe and paved the way for the reunification of our continent. It is in this context of keeping memory alive and celebrating restored freedom and unity that I also want to welcome you and encourage you to continue your mission.
From Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople: We urge you, all those taking part in the European meeting in Poznań, to be living witnesses of Christ born, witnesses of the Risen Christ, of a God present in history, of a God of creation. How can we bear this testimony? Christ himself says in the Gospel according to Saint John: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Therefore, “do not fear!”
From the Archbishop of Canterbury: In these days, you will be sharing your thoughts about many of the most pressing challenges of our world. At the heart of all the questions is one that is perhaps the most urgent and searching of all: what is it to live a truly human life? We have seen how humanity is defaced and injured by false ideas of wealth, by false ideas of security, by false ideas of freedom. Our calling as Christians is to lay bare to the world the truth of our human destiny.
The meeting from day to day, with statements of some of the young adults participating
The press room for the European meeting will be open beginning on December 27 from 10am to 7pm until January 1, at the MTP of Poznań (Hall 15, Exhibition Club).
Tel.: 0(0 48) 61 869 2050 ; 0(0 48) 61 869 2051 ; 0(0 48) 61 869 2052
Fax: 0(0 48) 61 869 2053
Before and after that date (until January 4) and for urgent matters: 0 (0 48) 504 123 114
December 14, 2009