Taize prayer

A fire that never dies away

Ann MoyerPrayer & Worship Leave a Comment

Have you ever experienced Taizé Prayer? Do you know the origins of Taizé  Prayer? Sandy Wojtal-Weber, a member of Sunday Assembly at Holy Wisdom Monastery, offers this introduction to Taizé Prayer:

Christ is our center. The light of Christ illuminates our very being. This is meditative common prayer. Gathered together in the presence of Christ we sing uncomplicated repetitive songs, uncluttered by too many words, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity.

This form of prayer comes from the Taizé  Community of France, founded by Brother Roger in occupied France in the 1940’s. From very simple beginnings, aiding war refugees and bringing together those who sought a life “following Christ in simplicity, celibacy and community,” the Taizé  Community has become particularly well known for its simple yet powerful form of communal prayer.

Beginning with several short, meditative songs, the Taizé  Prayer experience includes a “procession of light and song.” Grounded in the gathered community’s songs and meditative space, we are invited to bring a lighted candle forward to join a growing circle of light. As that powerful witness of light grows, we are reminded of the words of a familiar Taizé chant:

Within our darkest night,
you kindle the fire that never dies away,
that never dies away.

And finally, as we move into a time of silent meditation, Sandy provides these thoughts to guide us:

When we try to express communion with God in words, our minds quickly come up short. A fairly long period of silence to listen to the voice of God deep within is essential in discovering the heart of prayer.

Thank you, Sandy, for sharing your gifts in leading this Taizé experience, during Advent on December 14, 2018 and in Lent on March 22, 2019, 7:30-9:00 pm in the monastery oratory. Like all prayer opportunities at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Taizé Prayer is open to all.

 

For more information, contact Lynn Lemberger at 608-836-1631, x138.

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