In the middle of February, a group from the Paris region were in Taizé for a week. They came from very diverse backgrounds and they had a very relaxed manner. They made many friendships among the other young adults present and they helped a lot with the daily jobs. On the Sunday morning, the bishop of Saint Denis, their diocese, presided at the Eucharist.
During the following week, groups from Korea, France, Germany, the USA and Austria took part in the youth meetings. They shared together on the Letter from Chile – joy, compassion and forgiveness - and on how to live out these Gospel values in everyday life.
During this period before the start of the big meetings, the young people staying in Taizé for a longer time have been reflecting with the brothers on the Bible introductions for this year. Each one was able to give their opinion on the formulation of the questions and on the presentation of the texts, adapted according to the different ages, and also propose their ideas for questions and reflection.
Everyone in Taizé has prayed in the Church of Reconciliation in communion with the people of the countries of North Africa, as well as for the victims of the earthquake in New Zealand.
This week, preparations have started for welcoming those who will come over Easter, with the setting up of the large tents and the opening up of the first extension of the church, making it possible to welcome all the young people for the three prayers. Given the number of participants, the meal distribution takes place outside, in spite of the winter cold.
Genesis 22:1-18: Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Is there not in this text the mystery of all fatherhood and motherhood—to be willing to let go of one’s own children in order to launch them into Life? God himself will take the place of Abraham mysteriously by “not sparing his only Son” on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 8:32). By this “loss”, we gain life.
Have I ever been led by faith to take an extra step that was not easy? Are there situations where I feel that I have to lose in order to win?
At the invitation of the churches and the mayor, the 34th European Meeting will be held in Berlin from 28 December 2011 to 01 January 2012. For many people in the East and West, the city of Berlin is a symbol because its population was not discouraged, even in difficult circumstances. The local host churches are very diverse in nature. And many people in Berlin have had little or no contact with the Christian faith. This is a place where it will be possible for all to feel welcome. Can the meeting provide a sign that the Church can be a place of hospitality for all people?
From 20 to 31 March, brothers from Taizé will be in Berlin. Several prayers and information meetings have already been programmed. All who wish to take part in preparing the European meeting are invited.
On the evening of 19 February 2011, the largest church in Porto was not big enough to contain all those who came together to celebrate the first anniversary of the pilgrimage of trust “to the wellsprings of joy”. In all, some 1500 people : hundreds of young adults, but also families who had welcomed the young pilgrims a year ago, and representatives of the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, and the Old Catholic Church.
A Chilean volunteer spending a month in Alagoinhas writes: “There has been a big celebration in Alagoinhas. Starting from today, a small fraternity of the brothers of La Salette have arrived to collaborate with the brothers of Taizé, thus reinforcing the missionary work that the brothers of Taizé have been pursuing here for over thirty years.
The celebration was of matchless simplicity; at the heart of it was silence and sung prayer. Many people from the local community came to take part, demonstrating their commitment to accompany this new experience where the spirituality of Taizé and the missionary charisma of Our Lady of Salette will join up to share the reconciliation and the mercy of God with the poor.
A very moving moment was when the entire community sent off a brother who, a few days later, was to leave for a fraternal country, Haiti, as a pilgrim who sets off in trust and who allows himself to be profoundly touched by the needs of our neighbours.…”
One of the brothers reflects on his visits to Croatia; the most recent was in February 2011.
“Once again the young people from Croatia were astonishingly numerous at the European meeting at Rotterdam. In order to take part in such a gathering, they do not wait for someone else to organise the journey for them. In the parishes, in the schools, between friends, they talk about it, they set up preparation meetings, and they find the most inexpensive bus company.
Each time I go to visit them, in this beautiful country between the plain of Pannonia and the Adriatic Sea, I am struck to see how many young adults you find in church, even on week days. Yet the Church leaders ask more and more “What can we do for the young people? We have to find new ways!”
At Osijek, in the North East of the country, no one can remember for how long the Wednesday evening prayer has existed: “It must be at least twenty years!” Periodically a new generation takes over. …”
Chile
Friday 4 March; Santiago de Chile; prayer at 19.30, at Jesus of Nazareth Parish.
Saturday 12 March; Santiago, Chile; from 15.00 to 20.00: afternoon of prayer and reflection based on the "Letter from Chile", Colegio Santa Ana.
France
Friday 11 March; Church of St-Eustache, Paris, 20.00; an evening of reconciliation; “At the heart of Paris, the time of forgiveness”.
Friday 25 March; Notre-Dame de Paris, 20.00; in the context of the “Court of the Gentiles” an evening of prayer and meditation. Brother Alois will be present.
Italy
March 15-25, brothers of the community will travel in the South of Italy. There will be a prayer in Herculaneum near Naples on Tuesday March 15th, in the town of Fermo on Friday March 18th, and then a series of visits and prayers in Puglia during the following week.
Switzerland
Thursday 17 March; meeting in Lucerne; at 18.15, in the Church of the Jesuits, Brother Alois will give a talk on the theme “The passion for the unity of the Body of Christ”. Afterwards, there will be a prayer in the same church.
Austria
18 and 19 March Brother Alois and another brother will be in Vienna for an evening prayer and a meeting for young adults.
Canada and USA
One of the brothers will be in Canada in March-April. Tuesday 29 March, he will be in Chicago, Ill, to take part in a prayer at DePaul University.
Continuing the series of extracts from unpublished video interviews with Brother Roger. For the month of March: “A life that is beautiful”.
Christ Jesus, you call us to go again and again from worry to trust. We listen to your voice as you tell us: "Fear nothing, I am here." You went through violence and through death, and now, raised from the dead, you give us your peace so that it may spread through the world.