Taize at Holy Trinity

Taizé Prayer Services

Our next Taizé prayer service will by Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00 P.M.

Although the Taizé service is not strictly a Music Ministry responsibility, we include it here because the use of music as a meditative tool is central to the practice and because the volunteers who organize the service each month are mostly Music Ministry people.

The Worship Commission sponsors contemplative prayer services in the tradition of Taizé (pronounced teh-ZAY) on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Sanctuary of Holy Trinity. With the ever increasing stresses in our lives, the prayer services focus specifically on God's love, mercy and compassion for us.

What is Taizé prayer? Taizé prayer is a quiet simple way of prayer designed for people of all Christian traditions. These meditative, candlelit services include simple chants sung repeatedly, rich silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. At Holy Trinity, a typical service has piano and flute supporting the chants as well as a cantor to lead the congregation. The front of the church is filled with lit candles and an icon or other religious artwork. Sometimes, there is incense is burning. All of these elements are part of Brother Roger's philosophy: a belief that prayer and beauty are pathways to communion with God. The service generally lasts from forty-five minutes to an hour, with the participants invited to stay and continue to meditate silently for a while after the final chant. There are always several simple chants, a reading, a psalm recited by the participants, and a period of quiet meditation. There is no priest or officiator since this is considered an opportunity for communal prayer, although sometimes the priests of the parish join us for this beautiful time of quiet and reconciliation. People from all faith traditions who are seeking peace and connection are welcome to participate.

History of Taizé These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. Brother Roger, Taize's founder, arrived in the village of Taizé, France in 1940. In the midst of World War II, he dreamed of creating a community where reconciliation was a daily reality. He began by giving shelter to refugees of the war, especially Jews. Brother Roger recognized that the search for reconciliation was within each individual as well as within the community. Initially, the Taizé founder lived alone, until brothers from various Protestant and Catholic backgrounds followed. Today, as an ecumenical monastic community, Taizé is a sign of reconciliation. People from around the world, especially young people, come to Taizé looking for meaning in their lives as they prepare for responsibilities in their own communities. There are now Taizé services being held in all kinds of Christian churches around Dallas, the United States and the world.

Brother Roger writes in Songs and Prayers from Taizé:

"In a technological society, there is a clear separation between prayer and work. When inner life and human solidarity appear to be in competition with one another, as if people had to choose between them, that opposition tears apart the very depths of the soul. Prayer is a serene force at work within human beings, stirring transforming, never allowing them to close their eyes in the face of evil. From it we draw the energy to wage other struggles."

Throughout the year, be renewed by God through prayer, silence and searching. Taize prayer is a wonderful way to become more peaceful and centered amidst a busy life.

Join us at Holy Trinity for Taizé prayer from 7 to 8 p.m. on these Tuesdays in 2010:

January 12

February 9

March 9

April 13

May 11

June 8

July 13

August 10

September 14

October 12

November 9

December 14

Other North Texas Taizé services:

First Thursdays at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas

Second Thursdays at Canterbury Chapel on the SMU Campus in Dallas

Fourth Mondays at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano

If you know of other regular Taizé services in the area that should be listed here, please send us a message and we'll add them to the list.

Two of our regular attendees have started a Facebook page for DFW area Taizé services. You can find them through this link.