Taize Gathering--Thoughts, Experiences?

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I love Taize prayer and music, so I’m thinking of attending a Taize gathering in my city. They are an ecumenical, not a Catholic group, but their style of prayer seems largely unobjectionable–it’s just Bible readings, songs, and some silent reflection–and Pope John Paul II actually visited their community in France.

Has anyone attended their gatherings before? I know the music will be amazing. The program schedule also mentions “small group sharing,” though, which might be awkward for me since I’m an introvert and don’t open up easily to strangers. They also have workshops listed, but I have no idea what those are like.
 
My parish is doing the Taize prayers every Friday during Lent. I’m a teacher so the only time I can go is on Good Friday before Stations. It sounds great:)
 
I’ve been to Taize prayer sponsored by both Catholics and Protestants. They’ve been very similar in format – prayers, scripture readings, and silence.

None of the Taize services I’ve participated in had small group sharing. That sounds a little off to me since Taize brings about such a silent/meditative mood. When I walk out of there the last thing I want to do is engage in conversation.

You also mention workshops so this sounds like much more than simply a prayer service. Do the workshops/small groups come first and then the day ends with Taize prayer?
 
I’ve heard about Taize, and read articles about it. I remember when the founder, Brother Roger, was at John Paul II’s funeral Mass, and received Communion from then-Cardinal Ratzinger. (That caused something of a kerfuffle because there was confusion as to whether he converted to Catholicism or if he remained a Protestant) I also remember his murder by a deranged woman in the chapel of the community in August 2005.

When I used to work in the local Catholic bookstore, there were tapes and CDs of Taize’s music, as well as songbooks, available for purchase. Since I couldn’t read music, I had no idea how it sounded on the recordings.

A couple of Protestant churches (one Episcopal, the other Presbyterian) in my area advertise monthly Taize services-haven’t gone to them, though.

It wasn’t until 2009 or so that I actually heard what their music sounds like. I rode with a lady from the Albany, NY area to visit a community of Carmelite nuns who used to be in Schenectady, but had moved to Rochester in 2005. She had some Taize CDs in her car, so she played one of them while we were traveling. They sounded very beautiful and very tranquil.
 
Yes! Go!

My parish doesn’t offer the small group sharing or workshops, but it does have a monthly Taize service. One of our deacons is often present and will preside over the service.
 
Thanks everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I didn’t realize Taize had touched so many lives here!

Let me clarify my original post. The gathering isn’t just a Taize prayer service–I’ve attended many of those before, and highly recommend them. 🙂 But this is a huge, multi-day event. The Taize brothers from France will visit, along with thousands of pilgrims:

taize.fr/en_article12737.html

I’m curious about whether anyone has attended anything like this?
 
So basically, when I wrote “gathering,” I should have written “pilgrimage.”
 
Diotima said:
Thanks everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I didn’t realize Taize had touched so many lives here!

Let me clarify my original post. The gathering isn’t just a Taize prayer service–I’ve attended many of those before, and highly recommend them. 🙂 But this is a huge, multi-day event. The Taize brothers from France will visit, along with thousands of pilgrims:

taize.fr/en_article12737.html

I’m curious about whether anyone has attended anything like this?
Click to expand...
I’ve never been to one of those. It looks great!
 
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