5 July | The prior of Taizé, Brother Matthew, received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV
In a fraternal atmosphere, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the great challenges of Christian unity, the ecumenical witness of Taizé for more than seventy years, and the commitment of young people to peace and justice. In addition, Brother Matthew presented Pope Leo with a booklet containing messages written by young people currently on long-term volunteer stays in Taizé.
This audience marks a new stage in the bonds of trust and dialogue between the Catholic Church and the ecumenical community of Taizé, in line with the annual audiences between previous priors and successive popes over the last few decades.
The start of the summer season in Taizé
Throughout the summer, Taizé will host international meetings, including community prayers with the brothers, Bible sharing, workshops on various topics, and practical work. All generations will be present, with a particular focus on young people aged 18 to 35 and sessions adapted for younger groups aged 15 to 17. Several highlights are planned:
• July 13-18: The 8th Friendship Meeting between young Christians and Muslims on the theme “Hope Against All Hope,” attended by several imams and Christian leaders.
• August 17-24: The 4th week dedicated to sharing and witnessing around the Orthodox faith, with specific sessions for Orthodox believers, workshops open to all, and two liturgies.
• August 24-31: The new week of reflection for 18-35 year olds, open to all young adults in this age group, with numerous workshops led by speakers from all walks of life, including several meetings around this year’s topic, “Justice and Peace.”
• This summer will also mark two anniversaries: August 16 will be the 20th anniversary of the death of Brother Roger, who founded the community, and August 20 will be the 85th anniversary of his arrival in the village of Taizé.
Praying with the songs of Taizé during the Youth Jubilee in Rome
During the Youth Jubilee, the brothers will lead times of prayer with songs from Taizé in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on Piazza Venezia: Wednesday, July 30, and Thursday, July 31, at 11:00am, 2:30pm, 4:00pm, and 5:30pm and on Friday, August 1 at 11:00am and 2:30pm. In addition, a large prayer service with several communities will be held on Friday, August 1 at 8:00pm at the church of Sant’Ignazio in Campo Marzio.
8 June | Prayers with the songs of Taizé during the Youth Jubilee in Rome
During the Youth Jubilee in Rome, brothers will lead times of prayer with the songs of Taizé in the basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli at Piazza Venezia :
• Wedneday 30 July at 11.00am, 2.30pm, 4.00pm and 5.30pm
• Thursday 31 July at 11.00am, 2.30pm, 4.00pm and 5.30pm
• Friday 1st August at 11.00am et 2.30pm.
In addition, a large prayer with several communities will be offered Friday August 1st at 8pm, à the church of Sant’Ignazio in Campo Marzio, Piazza Sant’Ignazio.
28 May | Changing times in the Church and in Europe
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9 May | For Pope Leo XIV
Faithful God, we thank you for calling Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Bishop of Rome and Pope Leo XIV. May he be a servant of communion for all your people, and a witness to peace and hope in the human family.
Through your Holy Spirit, enable him day after day to walk in the footsteps of your Son Jesus, as a creator of unity in the mystery of communion that is his Body, the Church, compassionate towards those who suffer and in solidarity with every person who seeks peace.
In a letter to the new pope, Brother Matthew wrote:
At this moment of particular importance for the whole Church, we pray that the Holy Spirit will sustain you in your ministry, so that you may be a sign of unity, peace and hope for the whole world. In this sense, your first blessing urbi et orbi touches us deeply, especially the call to be “a synodal Church, a Church on the move, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer”.
On Tuesday, a prayer for the conclave was held in Taizé and elsewhere in the world, an initiative taken up by the World Council of Churches in an online prayer at midday.
Photo : ecumenical prayer vigil in Rome on September 30, 2023, the day of the consistory at which Bishop Prevost became a cardinal. (C) Lars König, Taizé / Together Media Team
4 May | Ecumenical prayer for the Conclave
Song to invoke the Holy Spirit
Tui amoris ignem
Words of welcome followed by the opening prayer (written by Brother Matthew of Taizé)
Faithful God, Shepherd of your people, you bring us together in all our diversity. You give us the gift of loving your Son Jesus and the mystery of communion that is his Body, the Church. We give you thanks for the life and ministry of Pope Francis, for the paths he has opened to proclaim the good news of your love in today’s world.
On the eve of the conclave, we ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon those who have been given the responsibility of choosing his successor as Bishop of Rome. May your Spirit give them a listening heart, and the wisdom and humility they need to discern your will.
Always renew our hope and bless the one you will call to be a servant of unity among your people and a witness to hope and peace in the human family, attentive to the lowly and the needy, for your kingdom belongs to them.
Psalm 34 (33), 2-9. 13-16
Verses to be sung or read alternating with the song Alleluia 24
I will bless the Lord continually : God’s praise shall be always in my mouth.
Let my soul boast of the Lord : the humble shall hear it and rejoice.
O praise the Lord with me : let us exalt his name together.
For I sought the Lord’s help and he answered : and he freed me from all my fears.
Look towards him and be bright with joy : your faces shall not be ashamed.
Here is a wretch who cried, and the Lord heard him : and saved him from all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps round those who fear him : and delivers them in their need.
O taste and see that the Lord is good : happy whoever who hides in God!
Which of you relishes life : wants time to enjoy good things?
Keep your tongue from evil : and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good : seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of God are on the righteous : and his ears towards their cry.
From the Gospel according to St John (John 16,12-15)
Before his Passion, Jesus said to his disciples: 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Song that reflects the Word of God
Jésus le Christ
Silence
In places where this is not customary, it can help to announce to the participants that the prayer will continue with a long moment of silence. This can last 8 to 10 minutes.
Prayers of intercession
Sing or read each one alternating with the song Gospodi A
1. For the Church of Christ, for all the Churches throughout the world, for the communities and individuals who dedicate themselves to proclaiming the Gospel. We pray to you.
2. For the leaders of peoples, that their efforts may converge in the search for a lasting and just peace. We pray to you.
3. For Christian unity: may theological dialogue, encounter and the spiritual life open up paths of communion. We pray to you.
4. For an ever greater participation of all believers, women and men, old and young, in the synodal processes of discernment and decision-making, we pray to you.
5. In gratitude for the life and service of Pope Francis, we pray for those who were at the heart of his ministry: people living on the world’s existential margins - migrants, the poor, and so many others.
6. For the Church of England and the whole Anglican Communion, for the process of appointing the person called to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury. For all those who today carry out the mission of evangelisation within this Church. We pray to you.
7. For all the cardinals and for all those involved in the preparations for the conclave: send your Holy Spirit upon each of them to guide them in the election of the new bishop of Rome. We pray to you.
8. That the Holy Spirit may lead us into the fullness of truth, we pray to you.
Together, let us say the words that Jesus taught his disciples: Our Father …
Concluding prayer (from Taizé)
Bless us, Risen Christ, breathe your Holy Spirit on each one of us so that we may proclaim the good news of your love to all creation.
At the end of the time of prayer, a community leader (pastor or priest) can offer a meditation, and then the leaders of the various denominations can give a final blessing together, adapted to suit each place. A meditative song, or other songs of praise, can then be sung in places where a longer prayer can take place.
