TAIZE PRAYER is a meditative service that combines chant, silence, short readings, candlelight and personal engagement. The service traditionally focuses on reconciliation between countries, communities, and people and is described by many as “cleansing” and “powerful.” It calls us to reconcile our small selves with our Christ nature, choosing Oneness over duality, community over conflict.

Founded at Taize, France by Brother Roger in the early 1940s, the Taize community is ecumenical, consisting of brothers from different countries and traditions. It embodies much of what is rich and central from the great Christian tradition with a sense of freshness and newness. Young people of all nations gather to experience Taize prayer together each summer.

In this season of rebirth, we focus on denying power to our outwardly focused small selves in order to invite and embrace the “outrageous promise” of transformation. As we surrender and claim our divine abilities, we consciously put on the Christ, affirming as did Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life…. I am the light of the world…I make all things new.”

Through Taize’s inner focus, we go within to own and heal personal erroneous thinking, as well as the collective pain of humanity. As our hearts open we claim Oneness, forgive ourselves and others, and live from abundant Source.

The spirituality of Taize is one of celebration, hope, and festival… of Christ, our “hope of glory.” Brother Roger prayed that the "spring of jubilation may never dry up in our hearts.” He believed that "in every person lies a zone of solitude that no human intimacy can fill: and there God encounters us. There, in that depth is set the intimate festival of the risen Christ. So henceforth, in the hollow of our being, we discover the risen Christ: he is our festival."