News from Taizé
Taizé: Some echoes of the summer meetings
Throughout the summer, the international meetings were joyful as usual, simply because of the great diversity represented on the hill. Each week, young volunteers from different continents presented their country. Those who reflected for several days on paths "towards a new solidarity" showed great creativity in the workshop they offered to all on Saturday with the title: "The challenges of solidarity: a call to action".
At the same time, several difficult situations in the world today gave a serious tone to the meetings. The Middle East became closer thanks to the presence of an Israeli rabbi, young adults from Palestine, an Iraqi-Egyptian family living in the village of Taizé, a French-Palestinian family whose grandparents are in Gaza. Amaya, a woman from Spain who works in Rome with the Jesuit Refugee Service, spoke one night to all the participants about the courage of a friend living in Aleppo, Syria.
During his weekly meetings, Brother Alois yet emphasized how much the presence of young people from Ukraine and Russia was important this summer. Every Sunday at 6:30pm, those who wished could join the brothers for a time of silent prayer for peace in a world in conflict.
Towards a new solidarity: Small provisional communities
As part of the search for new ways of solidarity, the brothers are inviting young people to have experiences in small provisional communities.The first fraternities began during the summer. From Porto, young people share their experience: “There seems to be a great appreciation for three people leaving their everyday lives behind to get to know this parish and neighborhood, living and praying in an alternative way, interacting where legions of tourists only walk past, and discovering how much those who may be disadvantaged materially have to give and to share.” Other communities are continuing in Bruxelles (Belgium), Moresnet (Belgium, near the border with Germany and the Netherlands), Roanne (France), Kiev (Ukraine), etc. These experiences will be shared during the gathering for a new solidarity that will be held in Taizé from August 9-16, 2015.
Prague: The start of the preparation team and the opening of registration
At Taizé, preparations for the European meeting in Prague has entered a new phase. The international team which will leave in mid-September for the Czech capital has been formed. The first plans for decorating the places of worship are underway. A public television team is already preparing a documentary on the event. And the registration form is online!
News of brothers on different continents
- In Brazil, in the favelas and poor neighborhoods, like the one where the brothers live in Alagoinhas, many Christians attend one of the many evangelical churches. A brother shares some echoes about a celebration held with the Taizé brothers on Pentecost 2014.
From August 13 to 24 the brothers of Taizé in Nairobi led two international retreats which brought together 150 young people from various countries in East Africa, including South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and from various regions of Kenya.
South Sudan: visit of a brother in July
The violent crisis that erupted in mid-December 2013 has bruised the youngest and poorest state in the world. Talks between representatives of the two opposing camps are stagnating. The sadness and anxiety of the people are great. In areas not affected by the combats, life goes on. Although, in this context, it is difficult to travel and to schedule meetings in advance, a fraternal visit is a way of expressing solidarity in practice. That is what one of the brothers of Taizé living in Nairobi, in neighboring Kenya, did.
Commented Bible passages: True Wealth (Matthew 6:19-21)
A treasure can refer to something we desire deeply or something precious we hold on to. A treasure gives us joy in the present and security for the days to come. It is natural that our hearts long for what they desire or become attached to what they possess. Jesus invites us to look at our treasures with discernment. He invites us to distinguish a futile search and transitory pleasures from what can be more lasting. (…)Where do I look for joy and security? What kind of seeking do I think is worth continuing?
Agenda
- Latvia. In a few weeks, Brother Alois will go to Riga with other brothers and young people from different Baltic countries and the whole region, to lead a meeting from 26 to 28 September.
- Caribbean. The pilgrimage of trust on earth continues in America, in the Caribbean: Brother Alois and some brothers will be in Puerto Rico on 8 October, 10-12 October in Haiti, 14-15 October in Cuba 17-19 October in the Dominican Republic.
- Ukraine. From September 13 to October 9, a few young people living in a small provisional community be in Kiev to pray, visit Christians and help with social projects of the various Churches. Three brothers will also be in Ukraine in the same period; they will visit Kiev, Lviv and other cities. Contact: info.taize@gmail.com
- Belarus. From September 20 to 26, a brother will travel to Minsk, Gomel, Grodno, ... to visit the youth who came to Taizé this summer or last winter in Strasbourg. Contact: info.taize@gmail.com
Prayer
Holy Spirit, you know our poverty and our vulnerability. But you animate in us a living charity, God’s own love. And by our simple acts of brotherly love the Kingdom of God can already transform the world.
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