During this week when the temperatures have been so high, I wanted to say a big thank you to all of you for persevering with the meetings and times of prayer. You have been very patient with the simple conditions that we can offer and we need to think about how to improve things to take into account the changing weather.

In a few moments, I would like Leon from Zimbabwe, who is volunteering in Taizé at the moment to share some thoughts with you. But before that, I would like to speak about two different themes.

First of all, tomorrow is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. This celebration is about the future of each one of us: it turns our gaze heavenward announcing the new heaven and new earth that come about because of the Resurrection of Jesus. Mary prefigures the hope that awaits us all.

During the Eucharist tomorrow, we will read the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elisabeth immediately after she has learned that she will give birth to Jesus. Remember that she was a young girl, unsure of her position. Elisabeth, already advanced in years, was herself expecting the birth of John the Baptist.

When she sees Mary approaching, Elisabeth greets her as the child John leaps in her womb saying “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! … Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!”

Mary believed the word that God spoke to her. In that way, she becomes a model for all of us who would like to understand what Holy Spirit is saying to us today with the desire to welcome God’s word in our heart so that it can transform our lives and bear fruit. And this can happen every day, but it takes root in the faithfulness of a lifetime.

So as we celebrate the feast of Mary tomorrow, let us ask ourselves, what is the word that God is saying to me today through the Holy Spirit? How is is God asking me to welcome that word? What does God want to be born in me because of Christ and the Gospel, so that I can offer it to others?

The second thing I wanted to speak about concerns this coming Saturday 16 August. That day will mark twenty years since the violent death of Brother Roger, who began the community life here in Taizé. It was a difficult day for all of us who were present.

I think especially of the children and young people, many of whom were among our volunteers, who saw how he was killed and who perhaps still today carry that image with them. Some we have been able to speak with in the following years, others not. But to all, I would like to say that we are always happy to see you in Taizé and if you need to speak, we are here for you.

Brother Roger arrived in Taizé when he was just 25 years old. He wanted to start a community life in a place where people were suffering. He left neutral Switzerland where he was born to come to France in 1940 where the Second World War was raging. Welcoming refugees, some of whom were Jewish, he lived at first alone. After the war, the first brothers came to join him and he was able to minister to German prisoners of war held in a camp in the valley nearby.

Brother Roger was a witness of hope in so many ways who opened up countless unexpected paths both in the Church among Christians but also among all people of good will irrespective of their beliefs. His vision that our community may have a passion for the unity of all Christians so that they may be a ferment of peace and reconciliation in the human family still burns brightly at the heart of our vocation as brothers.

Brother Roger was very young as he responded to the call of Christ in his life. May that be an encouragement to you all who are trying understand what God is asking of you!

On Saturday, we will express our gratitude for the life of Brother Roger during the midday and evening prayers. There will also be a round table discussion at 5.30pm on Saturday afternoon looking at different aspects of his life.

And now Leon will speak to us:

My name is Leon Chiponda. I am a volunteer from Zimbabwe. I spent 8 years studying in Algeria, a Muslim country where, as a Christian, I didn't always have the freedom to worship openly. As pentecostal Christians it was hard to find a place where we could meet and pray together. Then I discovered Taizé prayers though sessions that where organised in a city called Tlemcen and Taizé became a real example of ecumenism for me. 

I appreciated the simplicity and universality of the prayers- the songs, the silence and the way we could meditate on Gods word without anyone adding their own doctrine or interpretation. Taizé prayers United us as Christians from different denominations and everyone felt included regardless of differences in certain beliefs. The scripture from John's Gospel, where Jesus prays " Father, that they may be one, as you and I are one", became the pivoting point of our fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we shared in the joy or service, prayer and silence as one body. 

In 2022, I had the opportunity to volunteer in Taizé for a month and since  that experience, i wanted to come again and volunteer for a longer period. Now by God's grace I'm back and ready to share in this joy and love of living together with one mind. In the same way Mary gave a response saying, " Lord, may it be done according to your will" , may we open our hearts and accept this call to service and fellowship in our diversity.

Our community was founded during a time of war. Today our longing for a just and lasting peace and reconciliation in the truth in the war-torn countries of our planet remains very much alive. We think of the situations in Ukraine, in Gaza, in Sudan, in Nicaragua, in Myanmar and other countries as well, and also of people being held against their will. We remember the courage of those who struggle for justice under oppressive regimes.

Please come and join us at 8pm tomorrow as we pray in silence like every Friday evening for peace in our world, a peace which often seems so far away.

Finally, if you are aged 18-35, please mark December 28 to January 1 in your diaries because you are all welcome to take part in our European meeting in Paris and the surrounding region of Ile de France. There will be a very warm welcome from the Catholic dioceses but also from the Protestant and Orthodox Churches.

In a world where having different beliefs, points of view and backgrounds can often lead to polarisation and even hatred, can our meeting be a sign of hope, a sign that peace and life together as brothers and sisters is possible because of Christ and the Gospel? Come and be with us in Paris!