Taize prayer?

[NorthTexan88]

I have seen parishes in my area offer this, and my geographic parish offers centering prayer…not sure what that is?

Can someone tell me about this and let me know if it’s church approved or not. Thanks!

 

[DavidFilmer]

You seem to be asking two different questions.

Taize is a spiritual community. “Centering prayer” is an approach to contemplative prayer (it was not developed by the Taize community - I don’t know if the technique is used within that community).

The Taize community is not an official Catholic community, and it thus falls outside of the Church’s purview to “approve.” (but the Church has not spoken against it, and some Taize musical Mass settings are approved for liturgical use - and are quite good).

 

[losh14]

I’ve participated in a few Taize services offered through our campus Catholic ministry. It is a community that espouses an ecumenical style of worship - in this case it’s not watered down but rather focuses upon meditation and contemplative prayer in the Word and in song. Songs may be hymns or often simple Latin chant. The point is to immerse oneself, rather than get a theology lesson. I don’t think the Eucharist is offered at a Taize service, so it is not to be used to replace the Mass, but if you have the opportunity to go during the week you may find it uplifting to your spirit.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

I’d recommend attending one, for you’ll get a better idea once you’ve experienced it. If you like chanting and silence, be sure to attend.

It is not a Mass, but a prayer service. Consider it a devotional practice.

Just a brief note about the music and how it relates to Mass. Fr Joseph Gelineau, S.J., developed a style of psalmody (called Gelineau psalmody) that is used in many versions of the psalms for Sundays. Fr Gelineau was also involved in the early Taize community’s music.

While at a Taize prayer service, you’ll typically hear music composed by another Jesuit, Fr Jacques Berthier.

Check out this article on Bl JPII and Taize, which contains this great quote from Pope John XXIII …

"Dear Brothers, in the family-like intimacy of this brief meeting, I would like to express to you my affection and my trust with these simple words with which Pope John XXIII who loved you so much greeted Brother Roger one day: “Ah, Taizé, that little springtime!”


Blessed John Paul II and Brother Roger

Recent meeting of Pope Benedict XVI with members of the Taize community …
romereports.com/palio/pope-meets-with-the-prior-of-the-taize-community-english-6262.html

The 2012 worldwide meeting of the Taize community is in Rome.

 

[midori]

I don’t know about Taize, but when I lived in FW a few years ago, I went to a centering prayer workshop over at St. Patrick’s by City Hall. While I didn’t end up incorporating many of the habits they discussed, I did find one thing helpful-- they had a method they used to recommend to help minimize a wandering mind. So I’d recommend it entirely based on just getting one bit of profit from it-- go there and see where you find yours.