About Taizé Prayer and our Service

The contemplative prayer form that has become known as “Taizé” prayer takes its name from the Taizé community in France, an ecumenical monastic community founded in 1940 by Brother Roger. Scripture, prayer, and silence are interspersed with uncomplicated repetitive songs, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of prayer. Midway through the service, we will have an extended period of silence (8-10) minutes. This may be a new experience for you, and it may take some “practice” to fully benefit from this time. Our intention is to create a space where you are able to center your inner self as you prepare to go forward into the coming week. Everyone is invited to come forward for healing, with the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil. Healing can be for yourself, for someone you know, for the poor and homeless, or for the planet. We are in solidarity with all that is – with other human beings and with all creation. That is most fundamentally what Jesus is about. He is about healing and restoring. Everyone is also invited to light a “Candle of Care” for joys or sorrows in the sand tray.

Here is the standard order of service :

Taizé Prayer Service

All songs found in “Songs and Prayers from Taizé”

Centering Songs

Stay with us #21

Benedictus#27

Dona nobis pacem    #31

Scripture Reading:

Luke 3: 15 to 22

Sung response:

Ubi Caritas #49

A bell will sound at the beginning and end of silence

Prayers

Gospodi [Russian: Kyrie Eleison]  #7

The Lord’s Prayer (Everyone)

Healing, prayers, and lighting of Candles of Care

All are invited to approach the altar to receive the laying on of hands and anointing and/or light a candle of care.

By night   #46

O Christe Domine Jesu    #32

When the night   #25

Song Of Thanksgiving

Adoramus te, Christe  #39

A Reading from the Taize Community

Closing Songs

Our darkness #14

Give peace #44