'Oh the joy of being at Taizé

The Taizé team from Oxford Diocese with members of the lay community of St. Benedict

On Saturday 31st July 10 young people aged 17-29 from the Diocese of Oxford travelled on a pilgrimage to the Taizé community in France. It’s very difficult to describe why Taizé is such an amazing place but here are some extracts from the group’s diary to try and give you some idea......

Sunday 1st August
“We travelled; some slept; some didn’t. We arrived, we discovered what the necessities were.”
“It is very, very hot! So hot spending all day in the shower seems a good idea.”

“We started the week together by anonymously selecting guardian angels for each person in the group to pray for them. So each one of us had someone else to think and pray about and knew that someone else was praying for us.”

“Am out of routine at the moment therefore feeling disorientated and a little uneasy… but on the plus side already had three random people talk to me which is always a good start to the week.”

Monday 2nd August
“Today we began our Bible discussions; first a talk with a brother, then a group discussion. Already had a good chat with two Germans and am once more thinking about my faith. It’s hard work for me to try and express what I feel about my faith (particularly when having to communicate in Taizé English) but it is very worthwhile and rewarding. Still haven’t found the person who knows the cricket result…!!”

Tuesday 3rd August
“The sun seems to have gone for a holiday at the moment which is actually quite a nice change as I’m no longer sweating like a pig. My hair is wet and is stuck in a hat so I look rather stupid, but I don’t think people really care – oh the joy of being at Taizé.”

“I am rather tired this morning after what can only be described as a rather eventful evening… After Oyak we went back to the church to relax and wind down before bed… or so we thought. When we arrived back at the campsite at about two in the morning, we heard rustling from a tent and got scared, until we realised it was Nicola going on and adventure to the toilet. Nevertheless, we continued to hide behind Tom’ tent. It was when Nicola was out of sight that Tom told myself and Rowan that his tent was only held down by three pegs and “wouldn’t it be funny if we hid it by moving it!” Little did we know that Tom was only joking, and he was rather surprised when we told him we’d taken the peg out and were planning on dragging hi tent into the large blue barrack tent. Ten minutes later and Nicola returned only to discover that Tom’s tent had disappeared! She rather sleepily started asking Tom where he was (she was still asleep!) and then told him his tent had gone missing. Tom acted dumb and Nicola went back to bed. It was rather more amusing hearing people in the morning shouting that Tom’ tent had blown away. It was also funny that some people (mentioning no names Andrew!) didn’t even realize that the tent was missing (despite the fact he was next door!).”

“At Oyak that night some of us played exsqueeze me and G’day Bruce with some of the Lay community of St Benedict. Sarah had yet ANOTHER lollipop. Later that night Sarah had to go over and tell a group to be quiet because it was past midnight… thirty minutes later a woman told them ALL to be quiet – oops!”

Wednesday 4th August
“Wednesday morning began with a little confusion… the conversation was as follows:
“Pip?” said Brown, “Were you talking to someone last night?”
“What” replied Pip, “Before I went to sleep or after?””

“We sit in the church at the beginning of midday prayer. Br Roger has just sat down. The little children (who can sit in the space with the brothers) one by one get up to be blessed by Br Roger. It is lovely to see these young children take part in the service. At the end of the service the children lead Br Roger down the aisle and all the other brothers follow.”

“Just been to our Oxford meeting with Brother Paolo. This meant an hour of catching up on the gossip from the brothers and very importantly enough cake for many slices each (supplemented by very sticky jelly babies!) … Straight after the meeting the weather went from sunny to tipping it down so that I why I am writing this in the big blue tent using the tiny pen that I keep in my wallet.”

Thursday 5th August
“We talked about heaven and life after death and learnt a new game called the foot game! – typical Taizé mix!”

“I was in a lively mood from the foot game which I played for the first time. It was hard to start with as it involved getting quite close to people which I can get embarrassed about but it actually just helped people from at least three English groups to bond. Thank goodness for a competitive streak making me do it! I feel this Taizé trip has been most special in the way that all the English people have joined together as one and made a lively community! This was shown by a fantastic meeting with all the English and Paolo which was great fun and had a sense of solidarity and support as well. It was a great experience.”

“Paolo is a fun guy. He’s not how I would have expected a brother to be. The English meeting was fun and Sarah’s game was a big it – especially Paolo’s Delilah impression” (I really didn’t make her say that – S.)

“Taizé really came alive for me today in the evening prayer. I’m not quite sure but I felt stupidly happy and yet reflective at the same time, May have been because four of us sang all four parts of Cantate Domino in tune, in time, which brought anew edge to the music, helping my feelings to be expressed through it. It just sounded great and was fun.”

Friday 6th August
“Can’t believe it’s Friday and it’s not a good thing for once! I’ve been to Taizé three times and the week passes more quickly each time. I’ve still got so much more to think about but I don’t think I can stay for longer. I will have to try to make time for this at home.”

“I’ve really enjoyed the bible talks given by Brother John on the first four chapters of Genesis. I’ve never really taken the time to read the Bible, let alone study it in detail. Therefore I’ve found it quite difficult, particularly when discussing in a small group. However the talks by Br John have just been incredible, making me consider the Bible in a completely new way and looking deeper beyond the story to the message hidden beneath the surface. It has really inspired me to try to spend more time considering the Bible at home. This time I will put good intentions into practice.”

“Waking up this morning Danni and I (Nicky) were shocked to discover a candle in our tent, after much questioning of whose it was … A postcard was found with a message for Nicky from her Guardian Angel. The sleepy joy kept them through breakfast and meetings.”

“Brother Cyril has been very entertaining during the bible study. I actually can remember some of the points he made.”

“Friday night and the service remembering the crucifixion. The touching of the head on the cross is a very emotional experience and I am glad I did it.”

“This week has gone ridiculously fast and I can’t believe that it has almost finished. That is why I decided to stay on for an extra week. I have always been tempted by the idea, and have decided to do it so that I can meet more people and spend more time with God. I’ve been trying to think this week, but I just haven’t seemed to have got into it as much as I usually do. Therefore, this week, when thinking I will actually make sure I think.”

Saturday 7th August

“I am also scarily staying n another week with Danni for the same reason as Danni – the week has gone very fast and I also haven’t really got into it yet. I had a really cool time this week playing Mao, G’day Bruce and the foot game. I met some Swahili speakers, which was cool (thanks to them spotting my kanga) who were from Rwanda/Burundi.

“This year the service of light was an amazing experience, despite not all having a candle (as Taizé has decided that 5000 in one church is not a good idea...)  However, the atmosphere of unity was still present and strengthened by the joy of  Br Samuel making his life commitment and being welcomed into one large, happy family!”

“Saturday evening is the service of light, which has become a very moving service for a few of us, who have been to Taizé before. We remember a friend of ours, who had a great influence on us. This service was made more moving by witnessing the life commitment made by Brother Samuel to enter the Taizé community. After Br Samuel had taken his vows, he is taken to meet everyone of his brothers in turn with the traditional French greeting. Then to greet his family who have come to be a part of this special occasion. The service continues with Taizé chants, prayers and the lighting of around 4000 taper like candles.”

Sunday 8th August
“So ten travelled together to Taizé and eight returned on the purple peril coach today and for once leaving young people behind was a good thing! The journey was very mixed for me; some really fun games (and using our brains at 3am on the ferry was some feat!) saying goodbye to people at Calais, Dover and London was really tough as we have made such good friends this week and shared so much.”