About “Taizé Prayer Around the Cross”

 For several years now Our Lady of Grace parish has offered the opportunity, for all who whish, to experience the peace and serenity that flow from the chants and prayers modeled on the prayers of the community in Taizé, France.   This simple form of worship provides another moment in our otherwise busy lives where we can focus on the love of God revealed in Christ’s Cross and in the gathered community.

 The Taizé community was formed in the 1940s by Brother Roger who gathered a group of like minded men from Catholic and Protestant traditions to pray for peace and provide refuge for all who sought it.  From that beginning, this form of simple worship and caring has grown and is now followed by communities throughout the world.

 We are fortunate at Our Lady of Grace to have had this simple yet profound worship experience introduced to our parish by Fr. Jim McNamara in his first years with us.  And we continue to gather as a community to pray on the first Friday of each month at 8 PM in the church.

 What has become known as “Taizé prayer around the Cross” begins in the church that is lit primarily by candles.  The San Damiano Cross that normally hangs in the alcove off of the lobby of the Church is placed on the steps of the altar and forms to focus of our meditation.  It is through Christ’s cross that we find all hope for ourselves and for the world.

 Using chants from the Taizé community in France our evening of prayer proceeds.  All are invited to join in singing the chats if they wish.  In one voice the community offers worship to the One who was sent into the world to save us; the One in whom all hope is found.  The words of the chants are derived from Scripture and provide a back drop as the Spirit lifts our hearts.

 A reading from Sacred Scripture is offered for our reflection followed by prayers offered for the Church, the world, and for ourselves.  As the chants continue, all are invited to silently bring their cares and concerns to the Cross as the rest of those gathered pray with them.

 In this time of uncertainty in our world, as violence and war seems to escalate in the Middle East, as those who hunger seem to grow continuously in number, as many loose hope, and some loose faith, prayer is essential.  In addition to personal prayer, all are encouraged to be part of our weekly communion at Mass on Sundays and all are invited to join our “Taizé Prayer Around the Cross” each month.

 Christ is our hope.  Through Him peace is possible.  For our part, let us pray. 

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