Taize is a small village not too far from the ancient monastery of Cluny , which is situated in the Burgundy district of France. The Prior, Brother Roger, founded the community during the1940's, wanting it to be a place of reconciliation, following the devastation of the Second World War. The community now has about eighty brothers.
Standing in the centre of Taize today, is the Church of Reconciliation , where, three times a day, the community, together with, thousands of young people join in common prayer.
A particular style of singing has evolved to facilitate the young people coming from many nations. They come for numerous reasons and many indeed are just searching for something. The meditational, and repetitive songs are sung in many languages during worship at Taize, allowing people to return to their own Christian parishes and to sing them in their own natural language. It is hoped that the songs can be a desire and support for personal prayer.
I quote from Brother Roger, "The songs and harmonies beckon us to join with many others in the search to build a reconciled human family and to run the risk of giving our lives for others. Nothing is more conducive to a communion with the living God than a meditative common prayer with, as its high point , singing that never ends and that continues in the silence of one's heart when one is alone again".
Frances Morrow
Frances planned and led an experimental Taize style service in August 2004 which was well received.