Taizé

Commented Bible Passages

webadmin — 2026-06-30T22:00:00Z

These Bible meditations are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a day, take a moment to read the Bible passage with the short commentary and to reflect on the questions which follow. Afterwards, a small group of 3 to 10 people can meet to share what they have discovered and perhaps for a time of prayer.

Witnesses of the Transfiguration

Benoît — 2025-08-08T14:59:00Z

During the weekly meeting with Brother Matthew in the Church of Reconciliation, one of the volunteers shared her reflection on the Transfiguration.

Good evening everyone. My name is Minu, and I'm from Kerala, in the southern part of India. I belong to the Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church. I'm a lawyer, and I currently work with the government in designing public projects and campaigns that are run by the volunteers.

Our work is deeply rooted in people. We mobilize and train volunteers, equipping them with the skills they need to serve communities. Together, we conduct awareness programs and trainings across Kerala—on disaster management, anti-drug awareness, palliative care and so on.

In partnership with UNICEF, we train local people into community leaders to build resilience in the face of climate change. Our disaster management efforts has helped save lives in regions often struck by floods and landslides.

One of our most beautiful efforts is THRIVE—a project run by college students who work with children in tribal schools. Every weekend, they bring creative education modules—based on games, storytelling, art, and discovery. Over the years, we've seen these children rise—dreaming bigger, speaking louder, aiming higher. Many now want to become filmmakers, doctors, engineers, and artists. They begin to see themselves in a new light.

And it is here that I think of the Transfiguration of Jesus. When Jesus was transfigured before His disciples on the mountain, His divine nature shone through the ordinary. And those with Him saw not just who He was, but who He truly is.

This is the vision I carry into my work. Because I have seen transfigurations—not on mountaintops, but in tribal classrooms, in flooded villages, in quiet workshops. I have seen ordinary young people step forward and shine—becoming lights in their communities. I have seen children who once whispered now speak with hope. I have seen dignity unfold, leadership arise, dreams awaken.

That is what transfiguration means to me: a glimpse of the divine in the human. The holy breaking through the everyday. This is my story. And in every part of it, I see the story of a God who still transfigures lives. Thank you.

A visible sign of unity in our human family

Benoît — 2025-07-26T11:47:00Z

Thursday 24 July 2025

This week, there are over 50 different countries represented in Taizé for our weekly meetings, from every part of the world except Antarctica. A very warm welcome to you all! Our diversity of backgrounds, languages, cultures and traditions brings challenges, but is it not also a wonderful sign in our world today?

It is possible to live a visible sign of unity in our human family, what our community calls a “parable of communion” as we pray together, listen to the Word of God and build a common life throughout these days. Does not what we are experiencing here these days renew our hope? And is it not Christ who renews that hope, who tells us through his Resurrection that suffering and death will never have the final world.

As I prepared the letter “Hoping beyond all hope”, I wanted to listen to young people who live in situations where war wreaks havoc. Their faith in God and in the Resurrection of Jesus was something that touched me immensely. Far from being an escape from their troubles, for many of them it was what enabled them to hold firm and do what they could to help others.

In a few moments, Bozhena, who comes from Ukraine and is volunteering this summer in Taizé, will share some thoughts, but first of all I wanted to say some words about the Gospel reading we have just heard.

Jesus, after healing many different people, returns to his home town. At first, as the people hear him speak, they are amazed at his wisdom and all that he has done. But very quickly their attitude changes.

They think they know Jesus, they know his family and background. They are unable to see the gift of God that he offers through his life, as if God can only be recognised in the unusual and spectacular rather than in the ordinariness of daily human existence.

And Jesus says “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”

In a few days, you will be leaving Taizé. Perhaps you are returning to places where people are not particularly interested in Jesus, like in his own home town. But is it not important to reflect on what you have experienced these days? Was it something spectacular and unusual? Or was it in fact simple and ordinary?

Prayer, reading the Bible and sharing with others are not always sensational and breath-taking. They can be quite ordinary in many ways. If when you return home, you can look for a few minutes to pray each day, to listen to the Word of God and perhaps to do something with other believers every few days or at least once a week, then you might be surprised to see what is possible.

In some ways, you need to forget Taizé in order to live from the beauty of what you have discovered here. Taking even tiny steps each day to live out what you have understood about trust in Jesus will enable you to go forward and him to renew your hope. Isn't it in the ordinary events of daily life that the Holy Spirit works and builds something lasting within us?

Many of you have come with other people. How can you continue to support each other as you return home? We all need community and when that is possible in our local Churches, where each of us has a role to play, then communion in Christ becomes tangible.

And now Bozhena will say some words:

The city where I live in Ukraine is not under occupation, and there are no active battles there. But the war affects everything. Every day I ask myself: what can I do today — for others, for myself, for my country? Because no one knows if there will be a “tomorrow”. Many Ukrainians live with a sense of uncertainty — not knowing what will happen in a week, in a month, or next year. That's why each day carries a special weight — we live today and have the chance to act now.

Taizé became a place where I can not only feel peace in the present moment but also dare to think about the future with hope. It is a place where I feel accepted. A place where someone is waiting for you. Support means being present — even from afar. It means not staying silent, speaking the truth about the situation in Ukraine, and remembering us.

But the greatest support for us is prayer. Because prayer has no borders — it connects people even when nothing else seems to. Sometimes a person has no strength to pray — and then someone else prays in their place. This is already the third year of war, and we deeply need your prayer and support.

We are truly grateful for the boundless help we receive from other countries. Thank you for being open to helping, for your sensitive and kind hearts. This is a real sign of love — when people from different countries, languages, and cultures become one family. Even in the darkness of war, we see light — in your support, in your presence, and in your prayers.

This week we are organizing a special project — an exhibition of children's drawings from Ukraine which is called “Colours of Hope”. The children of Ukraine are children of war. They know what it means to be afraid and to hide. They know how to quickly pack their things. They know what is most important to take to the shelter. They have heard the sound of sirens more often than the sound of children's laughter in the yard. They are older than their age — because the reality around them forced them to grow up too fast.

But at the same time, these are children who know what hope is. Children who can see light, even when everything around is dark. They don't only draw tanks or destruction — they draw the sun, their families, birds, and peace. For me personally, this exhibition is more than just art. It is a sign of hope. Hope that life will win. Hope in us, Ukrainians, and the strength of our spirit. Hope for a future where there will be peace.

We will not forget the people of Ukraine, as we will not forget the people of Gaza and all who suffer in the Holy Land and Middle East. Last week, a woman born in Gaza was with us. Her nephew was badly injured in the bombing of the Holy Family Catholic Church, but was able to receive help..

When we look at the situation in Gaza and in Ukraine, but see also what is happening in Sudan, Haiti, Nicaragua and other places in our troubled world, we can ask ourselves, where is God? But does not God ask us, as Bozhena said, to remember those caught up in these conflicts and to seek ways of showing our solidarity?

Please come and join us tomorrow already at 8pm here in the church as we pray in silence for peace in our world like on every Friday evening. A silent prayer might not seem much, but it can be a sign of solidarity with those who cannot express their suffering and who are without words. During that prayer, intuitions can rise within us showing what action we could possibly take.

At the end of this year, our European Meeting will take place in Paris and the surrounding Île de France region. If you are aged 18 to 35, we would be so happy to welcome you there from December 28 to January 1. The Archbishop of Paris and bishops of the province have made such a warm invitation, together with Orthodox and Protestant Church leaders, that we rejoice already!

A final word: We have been so grateful for the presence of Bishops Michael, Jonathan, Smitha and Graham from the Church of England this week and also Archbishop Stephen of York who was with us for the first part of the week. Coming with young people from your dioceses, your friendship and support is so important. Thank you.

On Monday, I will leave for Rome where there will be the Jubilee for Youth. With five other brothers, we will lead prayers with songs from Taizé in the church of Santa Maria in Aracœli. On the Friday evening, there will be an ecumenical prayer with the Jesuit youth movement Magis and Chemin Neuf community in Sant'Ignazio church. We will then take part in the prayer vigil and Eucharist with Pope Leo, who I was able to meet on July 4, before returning to Taizé.

And during the third week of August, there will be a week sharing and witness of the Orthodox faith here in Taizé. In this way, we live our passion for the unity of all who love Christ.

Opening paths of friendship and communion

Benoît — 2025-07-18T09:17:47Z

Thursday 17 July 2025

A warm welcome to all of you who have come to spend this week with us in Taizé! Many of you come from Germany, but among us are also groups coming from Austria, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and other countries as well.

But I would especially like to express my joy for the presence of young Muslim believers together with three imams and also young Christians with priests and pastors who are taking part in our Muslim-Christian friendship meeting during these days. Welcome to all of you!

At a time when polarisation in our societies seems to be increasing and it is so easy to fall into stereotyped visions which lead us into an “us” and “them” mentality, is it not important for believers to meet and listen to each other, to speak and share together?

The Spirit of God moves in mysterious ways and we cannot limit the activity of the Spirit. God's ways are not always our ways and God's thoughts are not always our thoughts. We have to let ourselves be surprised by God and by each other.

When I met briefly with the participants in the Muslim-Christian friendship meeting at the start of the week, I quoted some words said by Pope Francis, of blessed memory, who did so much to open paths of friendship and communion between believers of all faiths. I would like to share those words now with you all:

“The world, looking to us believers, exhorts us to cooperate amongst ourselves and with the men and women of good will who profess no religion, asking us for effective responses regarding numerous issues: peace, hunger, the poverty that afflicts millions of people, the environmental crisis, violence, especially that committed in the name of religion, corruption, moral decay, the crisis of the family, of the economy, of finance, and especially of hope.

We believers have no recipe for these problems, but we have one great resource: prayer. We believers pray. We must pray. Prayer is our treasure, from which we draw according to our respective traditions, to request the gifts that humanity longs for.

(….) May our prayer — each one according to his or her own tradition — adhere fully to the will of God, who wants all men and women to recognize they are brothers and sisters and live as such, forming the great human family in the harmony of diversity.” [1]

During these days, we have shared together and prayed. Let us continue to draw strength from that treasure which is prayer. Could I ask you to pray for three things:

- Let us ask for peace in our families, neighbourhoods and in our world where war wreaks havoc.
- Let us ask for greater understanding between us through simple acts of solidarity and sharing.
- Let us ask for ways of alleviating together suffering in all its forms in our human family and in God's beautiful creation.

In that way God who is merciful and who loves each person without exception will renew our hope. But we also have a choice to make: to refuse to resign ourselves to situations of distress so that hope can take shape within us.

This is the opposite of waiting passively, it involves a struggle, but there is no other way. Even our very longing for hope can lead us across the threshold from what is humanly possible to what is possible for God.

With us this evening is Reem. Her family is from Gaza. I have asked her to share some words about the situation there.

My name is Reem. I was born in Gaza. My family and I lived in Khan Younis, the only Christian family in the heart of a city with over 300,000 inhabitants at the time. In 1998, José and I got married at the Holy Family Church in Gaza. In 2001, we came to live in France.

On Sunday evening, when I arrived in Taizé, I was deeply moved by the presence of Muslims. I saw a glimpse of an open humanity, coming together with their differences, despite a divided world. It reminded me of the beautiful moments of fraternity I experienced in Gaza with my Muslim friends and neighbours in daily life : at work, during celebrations, and even in the most difficult times. It was so natural that we didn't wake up every morning thinking, “Today, I'm going to live in fraternity with Muslims.”

This is not just a memory. It is a treasure from my life in Gaza, where my whole family still lives. Part of them have taken refuge since October 8, 2023, in the Holy Family Church. Their lives are threatened every day by the massacres caused by the Israeli army. Today, our church was bombed. Three people were killed and members of my family were injured.

When I am worried for them, it is they who give me strength and remind me to put my trust in God, because they surrender themselves to their faith. They live each moment with God.

Despite this senseless war, I have received expressions of fraternal and friendly support. I have rediscovered that even in darkness, there is light. Despite cruelty, there is humanity. And when there seems to be nothing left, there is still great generosity and solidarity.

Tomorrow evening, I would like to invite you all the come at 8pm to the church as we make our weekly prayer for peace in our troubled world. We pray simply in silence because it is so difficult to find the words to express what we feel faced with these situations.

As we remain in silence, we entrust those who are suffering to God. We remember the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, Nicaragua and other places as well. Perhaps intuitions rise in our hearts as to how we might be able to help each in our own way in the midst of all this distress. Does not our desire for peace already open a path within us?

At the end of this year, our European meeting of young adults will take place in Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region, from 28 December until 1 January. If you are aged 18-35, you are most welcome to come and take part. We are invited very warmly by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich and the bishops of the province as well as by Protestant and Orthodox Church leaders to prepare this gathering with the local church communities.

In September, a group of Taizé brothers, sisters of St Andrew , close associates and volunteers will set off to form a preparation team for this meeting. I think we are still looking for some young adults who can help with this, so if you have aged 18-35, have time from late August until early January and would like to be part of this international team, let us know!

[1] https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20151028_udienza-generale.html

“I will send you out to fish for people”

Benoît — 2025-06-20T12:38:51Z

Thursday June 19 2025

Thank you for being with us during this week of meetings in Taizé. Many of you are from Germany, but there are also groups here from Sweden, Ireland and the Netherlands, not forgetting the team of young volunteers who are with us from further afield. This past week, new volunteers arrived from Chile, Mexico, Chad, Indonesia and Vietnam. But a special welcome for the group from China that has been with us this week. It is for you that we have been singing “Bless the Lord” in Mandarin!

In a few moments, I would like to ask Christine, one of our volunteers, to tell us about her recent visit to Peru, but first of all, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.

Yesterday evening during prayer, we heard from Mark's Gospel how Jesus was walking by a lake when he saw two brothers at work, Simon and Andrew. They were fishermen and were doing their job. Jesus spoke to them. He said very simply “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.”

I remember the first time I heard these words and they intrigued me. What did Jesus mean by “fish for people”? Was he asking these two young men to “catch” people for him? But when I looked in the rest of the Gospel, I didn't see Jesus acting like that. He welcomed people, especially those who were excluded from society or from religious life. He showed them compassion and helped them to understand that they were loved by God.

So it became clear that following Jesus meant following this way of living and not catching people in a net. At the same time, they were fishermen and they were to become fishers of people. It's a play on words, but for me it has always had a deeper meaning.

Jesus takes all that we are and transforms it, gives it new meaning as we follow him. He doesn't abolish who we are, or reject our past experiences, but leads us to a fulfilment that perhaps takes time, but which is part of the journey he leads us on. Nothing is wasted, nothing is lost, all that is in us can be transfigured by his love.

During these days in Taizé, perhaps you have understood something more about what it means to follow Jesus. Maybe you heard a word that touched you, or a meeting reminded you of his presence, or the beauty of creation told you of God's love. Take these things with you as you leave Taizé at the end of this week. Let them grow and lead you on that path with him.

Remember that you are not alone on that journey. Many of you came with others from your church or school. Together you can continue to search. May the Holy Spirit lead you deeper and deeper into the mystery of communion, which is the Body of Christ, the Church.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Christine, I am French, and I have been a volunteer at Taizé since August. I returned a week ago from a month-long trip to Peru. I went together with Vannia, who is from Bolivia and was also a volunteer in Taizé last year.

The brothers sent us to meet young people in Peru and share with them what we experience in Taizé, because next year there will be a national meeting for the Youth Ministry of the Catholic Church, and Taizé will organise the prayers during the meeting.

Almost every day we met a different group of young people involved in their churches or universities. Each time it was a very powerful moment, as they shared their lives, their faith and their commitments in their communities with us.

I was surprised to meet so many young people who are involved, and by the diversity of their missions. I was particularly impressed by the social actions in the missions they organise, and by their desire to pass on their faith to other young people.

In the north of the country, in Chulucanas, where next year's meeting will take place, young people visit the hamlets of the diocese on weekends to encourage young people and all the inhabitants to continue living their faith together, even though priests can only visit them a few times a year.

I learned a lot during this trip, from the people I met, and from their faith and the way they live it. I am very grateful to the brothers for their trust and for allowing me to experience this mission.

On Saturday evening during prayer, we will welcome a new brother into our community. His name is Ismael and he comes from the city of Cochabamba in Bolivia. Ismael first came to Taizé in 2017 and wanted to return to Taizé to volunteer further, but the pandemic made that impossible. Finally in 2023 he was able to come and during his stay here, the question of following Jesus as a brother in Taizé grew within him.

Ismael prepared the European Meeting in Tallinn during last winter and then on coming back here after, asked to join our community. He has been living with us since February and on Saturday, we will welcome him with joy as a new brother. The time of preparation to commit his life in this way begins.

At the end of this year, our European Meeting will take place in Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France regiony. If you are aged 18 to 35, we would be so happy to welcome you there from December 28 to January 1. The Archbishop of Paris and bishops of the province have made such a warm invitation, together with Orthodox and Protestant Church leaders, that we rejoice already!

Can this meeting be a sign of our desire for peace and understanding in this time where so many people are suffering because of war? Can it renew our hope and lead us to do what we are able to do to help those who are affected?

During this past week, we sent many messages of support to people we know across the Middle East. It is so important that they know that we do not forget them in this time of great uncertainty. The same is true for the people of Ukraine and it is a privilege for us to be able to welcome some groups of young people from this country in the coming weeks.

Being in the resistance of hope

Benoît — 2025-06-13T12:36:05Z

Thursday June 12 2025

So many of you have come from different parts of Germany to be with us during this week when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. There are also young people with us from other countries.

A special greeting to those who have come from Åland, the archipelago of islands between Finland and Sweden and also to the young people who arrived recently from further afield: from Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Kenya, Indonesia, India and Thailand. And we say goodbye to the Malaysians who have been with us the past month.

You will have read in the letter “Hoping beyond all hope” how important it was for me to listen to young people from Ukraine, Lebanon, the West Bank and Myanmar, living in situations of war to understand what hope meant faced with the enormous challenges around them.

It was very striking to hear how faith in the Resurrection of Jesus played a central role for them. To believe in the Resurrection of Jesus takes a lot of courage and daring. It means striving not to be paralysed by the presence of death and destruction that are around us today.

I remember a young woman from Myanmar telling me that she knew that God would never abandon them and that by living one day at a time, the Holy Spirit consoled her and took away unnecessary worries.

She continued: “I can say everything in prayer and that allows me to fight for hope”. I was very struck by this idea of “fighting for hope”. When we see what is happening in certain parts of the world today, are we ready to take on that fight?

Last week, a French Bible scholar [1] gave a course to our brothers. She spoke about what she called “being in the resistance of hope”. Is not hope an act of resistance, of rebellion even, which makes us capable of seeing the good that is there in the midst of all the contradictions?

Paul writes to the Romans: “Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Rm 5.4). The Holy Spirit enables us to hope, reminding us that nothing can ever separate us from God's love shown to us in Jesus.

You will be returning home in a few days. What will you take with you from your stay in Taizé? What have you learnt about prayer, community life and listening to the word of God?

The path ahead might not be easy, but if you can continue to journey together, then your hope will be renewed. Look in your schools, parishes and student groups to see what is possible

Tomorrow evening please join us at 8pm already here in the church as we pray in silence for peace in our world . This prayer can be a sign of solidarity with people in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, whom we must not forget. We remember also the people of Sudan, Haiti and Nicaragua.

Please continue to pray for peace as you return hope. May the Spirit of peace blow in this Pentecost season giving courage and strength to those in war zones and inspiring bold and creative decisions by those in power for just and lasting solutions.

We have been invited for our annual European meeting from 28 December to 1 January by the Archbishop of Paris and the bishops of Île-de-France region, as well as Protestant and Orthodox leaders. This meeting will be a sign of our desire for peace and fraternity in the human family, yes, for hope beyond all hope. Join us in Paris!

A final point: On Saturday, a young man from Germany, whose name is Manuel, will receive the prayer robe of our community during evening prayer. After spending a time here as a volunteer and also having prepared the European meeting in Rostock some years ago, he returned home to finish his studies. In February of this year, he asked to come back to Taizé in order to reflect on becoming a brother in our community.

On Saturday, Manuel will make that first step on the path to committing his whole life to following Christ. We welcome him with joy! Please pray for him.

[1] Anne-Marie Pelletier

The peace and joy of the Risen Christ

Benoît — 2025-04-20T07:00:00Z

Saturday April 19 2025

Welcome to all of you who have come to spend these days with us as we remember Jesus' decision to love right up to his final breath. In doing so, Jesus shows us who God is and tells us that nothing can separate us from God's love: neither life nor death, neither suffering or violence.

We have followed Jesus' steps throughout this week from his entry into Jerusalem, his last meal with his friends, his unjust trial and condemnation, before giving his life for all on the cross. Today we wait in silence for the final confirmation of that love which knows no limits, which re-opens paths of forgiveness and communion, leading us all towards everlasting life.

You have come in large numbers from Germany, France, Portugal, Italy and Spain, but I would like to greet especially the Palestinians from Bethlehem who are with us this week, as well as the young people from Ukraine. Your presence here embodies our desire to remember all who are affected by war and oppression in our troubled world. We think also of people struggling for justice under authoritarian regimes. I would like to ask John from Bethlehem and Anna from Kyiv to say some words to us:

John from Bethlehem: “Lord God, we are daughters and sons of the Holy Land you chose to visit in the birth, life, death and resurrection of your Son Jesus.

Our country is marked by war, injustice and destruction. However, we remain hopeful and resilient because you walk with us and we can place our trust in you.

We are grateful for our families and friends who support us, listen to us, protect us, encourage us, and help us to continue our journey in this life. They give us hope and strength.

We are grateful for the privilege of living in the Holy Land; we can easily go to pray in the Church of the Nativity to remember your love for us. This gives us hope and strength.

We are grateful for the opportunity to study in the university that provides a safe place for us to learn, to open our minds and our hearts to the world and to you. This gives us hope and strength.

We are grateful for art, music and especially our choir that gives us a place for us to get together and to express both our pain and our praise through music with a united voice; we know you hear us. This gives us hope and strength.

We are grateful for your living Word in the Gospel, especially your Beatitudes that remind us that although the situation is difficult now, you promise better days: you promise the Kingdom of God. This gives us hope and strength.

We are grateful for hearts and minds that we use to serve one another without expecting return, building a community of hope and strength that helps us to persevere.

You are with us. We thank you and we call to you for help.”

----

Anna from Ukraine: “Holy Week is a very special time. When I was thinking about how to spend it this year, the Taizé community felt like the most right place to be; and especially during these challenging times, a place to reflect more deeply about what resurrection means.

I was last in Taizé three years ago, also during Easter Week. It was just a couple of months after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That week became a significant milestone in building my foundation of resilience and hope, alongside many other unexpected gifts I received.

When I think about the Taizé community today, I ask myself: What is it so important for me to come back here, again and again?

I first came to Taizé ten years ago, around the time war first reached Ukraine and affected the eastern regions. The Taizé community expressed deep solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people at that time. One vivid memory I carry from that period is Taizé community hosting, several times, a group of children and young people from Ukraine who had become internally displaced within their own country. They were part of the initiative “Children of Hope and Love”—a group of people who were looking for responses to the challenges brought by war, which I was also part of.

The invitation from Taizé and the experience of sharing life with those children and young people were powerful signs of friendship, care, and love—things that were deeply needed at the time.

I want to express my gratitude for the solidarity and support that the Taizé community has continuously shown over these ten difficult years for Ukraine—through prayers, actions, and presence.

So, what is it so important for me to come back here, again and again?

Taizé is a place where I can be reminded—often through others—of simple but deeply supportive truths. For example, during this morning's sharing group, i was reminded that the hand of Jesus is always on our shoulder, even when we tend to forget it.

Today, Taizé is, for me, a place where we can offer each other the consolation and hope we all need, especially in difficult times.”

The young Palestinians and Ukrainians carried the cross for us on Friday and this evening the icon where we see Jesus pulling Adam, the first man, towards the light. Tomorrow you will carry the Paschal candle at the start of the Eucharist. In this way you help us to pray for what Jesus promises us through his return to life: suffering and death will never have the last word.

We cannot separate the Cross from the Resurrection. But we often find ourselves as Holy Saturday people. We are caught in a kind of waiting. We are perhaps familiar with our own suffering, but also in our societies, in different situations of war in the world and in our wounded creation as well. There are so many people who have are going through shattering experiences around us.

We long for there to be a healing, for peace. We long for a real return to life. Holy Saturday tells us that despite what seems to be a silence, God is somehow at work and bringing about this return to life.

Early tomorrow morning we will gather to listen to readings from the first part of the Bible which tell of God's creative power of love, of God's desire to set his people free giving birth to a hope beyond all hope. As we hear them, may these readings open our hearts to that same hope.

Not all of the readings are easy to understand, but they tell us that there is a better place, a more attractive world, that freedom is possible. They also show us that the way passes through the desert.

For we all need to be set free in one way or another, whether that be from what holds us in slavery within, from difficulties linked with our societies, or from troubled situations where even our life, our freedom or the freedom of our country are at stake.

I'm very moved by the example of the Prophet Jeremiah. When Jeremiah was in prison and Jerusalem was threatened, he bought a field in Jerusalem. And for me, prophetic gestures like that show our faith in the faithfulness of God. Something within him told him that a future was possible. Our Resurrection faith tells us that new life is possible where no life was apparent.

What does that mean concretely? What are the gestures we are called to make as a sign of trust in a future of peace? What steps can we take in our prayer to remember these different situations where at the moment there seems to be only death? Who are the people who suffer and who live close to us to whom we could extend a helping hand?

Does it mean leaving our comfort zone to be where nobody wants to go? Or perhaps being with people who are simply different from us? Or staying in touch with people who are living in a situation of war. These are the questions I ask myself today. Perhaps I can share them with you.

And maybe there are no immediate solutions we can bring, but by being present, something unexpected happens. Over the past year our brothers have regularly visited young people in Ukraine. Visits have also been made in Lebanon, Jerusalem and the West Bank. These will all continue.

During such visits, there is a transformative experience on both sides as people realise that they are not forgotten and we discover the courage of these people. Our trust is renewed and something returns to life in us.

A final point: from 28 December to 1 January, we hope that you will be able to join us for our annual European meeting of young adults. After being in Tallinn at the start of this year, our next meeting will take place in Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region.

We have been invited for this European meeting by the Archbishop of Paris and the bishops of the province, as well as Protestant and Orthodox leaders. In Tallinn, the Archbishop told us that the cathedral of Notre Dame will welcome all of us, with her doors open so that we can encounter Christ who is waiting for us. This meeting will also be a sign of our desire for peace and fraternity in the human family, yes, for hope beyond all hope.

Now we'll continue with the prayer, but before we start singing again, let each of us whisper to the person next to us: “Christ is risen!” And they can whisper back “He is risen indeed!”

And from tomorrow and for the weeks to come, greet your sisters and brothers in the faith with this greeting. Dare to believe in the sign of the empty tomb. Then the peace and joy of the Risen Christ will be with us all!

A communion that knows no limits

Benoît — 2025-04-17T14:19:36Z

Welcome to all of you who have come to Taizé this week, especially from France and Germany, but also from other countries. It's a great joy to have volunteers with us from Indonesia, Colombia, China, Japan, USA....

Without perhaps realising it, you are a sign of a communion that knows no limits in Christ, that does not abolish our persons, our cultures and our languages, but that goes beyond them to make us understand that we are all loved by God.

We are at the beginning of Holy Week, during which we will follow Jesus step by step along the path of the gift of his life. Why did he have to die? Why did he suffer so much? These are difficult questions, but when we look at the Gospels, we see that he never stopped serving and loving, even in the face of rejection and unjust condemnation.

This is how Jesus shows us the face of God. He does not stand in a position of power, which would be his due, but gives himself without calculation, even at the cost of his own life. He enables us to understand that nothing can separate us from the love of God. That is what we are going to celebrate at Easter.

And the day after tomorrow, on Palm Sunday, we can have a foretaste of the joy of Easter. We will all meet together at 9am at the St Stephen's source where the branches will be blessed by a Protestant sister and a Catholic priest in a beautiful gesture of unity in Christ.

During the Eucharist, I will pray the following words:

“Christ Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, you never sought triumph. And yet when the crowds cheered you as you entered the city of peace on Palm Sunday, even knowing that the time was drawing near when you would have to go to the end of the love you came to show us, you welcomed their mirth. To us, who are often faced with situations of violence and helplessness, grant us the gift of discerning the signs of your joy, of your presence, even when night falls. The trusting of faith then tells us that with you suffering will never have the last word.”

How can we discern the signs of Christ's presence at a time when we are so shaken by what is happening in the world? This is the challenge facing you after your stay in Taizé. It won't be easy, but together in your chaplaincies and youth groups, you can support each other.

I'd like to share with you a meeting that took place with people of a different faith from our region. I have asked Yosuke, one of our young volunteers, to tell us what happened:

I was one of those who were invited to visit the Essalem mosque in Mâcon, not very far from here. And when we arrived I immediately felt something that I can only describe as being welcomed fully.

With pride they showed us their place of worship and teaching and they even invited us to join them during their time of prayer. Not to take part in their prayer, but just to be there with them, because they wanted to share with us this intimate space. And even though their traditions and customs are very different from what we do here, yet you could feel how it came from the same place of love, hope and kindness.

They shared with us that for them to honour guests is to honour God. I understood what this meant when they shared with us their food. That even during their time of Ramadan they had taken the time to prepare an amazing meal with many different dishes. It was so good, far better than what we can prepare in the Big Kitchen for all of you.

For them to honour guests is to honour God. And yes, I felt truly honoured.

And last Saturday, a group from this mosque came in turn to visit us here in Taizé. The presence of these Muslim friends from Mâcon was a celebration. In an atmosphere of mutual listening and sharing, we realised that beyond the differences that exist between us, we have a common humanity that will enable us to build something together.

In the Gospels, Jesus met people of other religions. He listened to them and sometimes learned from them. So this encounter brought us into the presence of Christ, who opens us up to a communion with everyone that will lead us to welcome the peace he offers us. Have you already had such experiences? Can you make such encounters of friendship a reality?

Come and join us on Friday evening at 8pm when we pray in silence for peace in our world. We cannot forget the suffering in countries where war is raging. Our brothers have just returned from Ukraine, and visits there will continue. Others will be leaving for Lebanon, and Israel and the West Bank after Easter. Our Sudanese friends remind us of the horrors that are taking place in their country, and tomorrow, following the initiative of the ‘Pax Cristi' movement, there will be a day of prayer for Sudan. Praying in silence is a sign of our desire for this long-awaited peace.

And at the end of the year, from 28 December to 1 January, you are all expected in Paris and the Île-de-France region for the European meeting at the invitation of the Archbishop of Paris and the bishops of the province, as well as Protestant and Orthodox leaders. This meeting will also be a sign of our desire for peace and fraternity in the human family, yes, for hope beyond all hope.

Simply turn to Christ

Benoît — 2025-03-07T16:13:59Z

Thursday March 6

A very warm welcome to you all who have come in large numbers from different parts of Portugal to pray with us this week as we enter into the time of Lent. Welcome also to those who are here from the US, Germany, Italy and other countries. Your presence counts a lot for us and we are happy to share these days with you.

I remember coming to Taizé as a student for my first time volunteering with the community 39 years ago during this time of year.

Filled with all kinds of resolutions to draw closer to Christ and welcome the Kingdom of God, I was overwhelmed to hear Brother Roger, our founder, who was still alive at that time, speak of this period of preparation as “forty days to celebrate the forgiveness that Christ reveals to us through the gift of his life”.

Suddenly, it became clear to me that personal conversion did not depend on my own efforts, however praiseworthy - and, incidentally, logical by my own standards - they might be, if it was not simply to turn to Christ who received me with open arms and even joy, just as I was.

This understanding opened up something in me. Accepting Christ's look on my life enabled me to really face up to what I had to lay down in him in order to be freed from it, so that I could then seek paths of communion once again with the people I had hurt, to enter more deeply into prayer, to give thanks for the love that God had shown me in him.

Perhaps some of you have had a similar experience this week. Now what counts is going home and continuing to live from what you have received. That is not easy, but this morning we listened to the calling of the prophet Jeremiah. This text can serve as an encouragement to you all.

Jeremiah understood that God was calling him. But he felt too young to respond to what was being asked of him. God replied to him saying “Do not say, “I am only a boy”, (…) do not say I am afraid, for I am with you.” (Jr. 1:6-8). And then God touches the mouth of Jeremiah to give him the words that he will need to say. Like for Jeremiah, the path ahead for you might not be easy, but can you live it in the trust that God goes with you?

As I noted in the Letter “Hoping beyond all hope”, Jeremiah then went further. At a time when his country was devastated by war and its inhabitants threatened by exile, and though he was himself in prison, the prophet Jeremiah made an investment in the future: he bought a field, so sure was he that God would not abandon his people (Jr 32:6-15).

Which field are you being asked to buy as a sign of hope in the society around you? Even if we think we are very young, there is so much we can do, especially if we can do it with others. And that is what life in the Church can be about. Living in communion with others who are seeking Christ and daring to take risks to become pilgrims of hope where God calls us to be.

Tomorrow evening, come and join us at 8pm in the church as we pray in silence for peace in our world. There is so much violence in our societies and in many different countries. Innocent people are suffering the injustices of war. Two of our brothers are in Eastern Ukraine at the moment – they are in the night train from Zaporizhia to Odesa et this very time. We will also be returning to Lebanon after Easter. We remember the people of Gaza, of Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lasting peace is not possible without justice for all, especially for those who suffer. Faced with these situations, we often don't know what to do, but standing in silence before God can be a sign of solidarity with these people and of our desire to do what we can for them. And who knows, perhaps during this silence we will receive insights that will spur us on to live out this solidarity in concrete ways, to become pilgrims of peace.

And at the end of the year, those of you who will be 18 or over are invited warmly to join us in Paris and the surrounding region for our European Meeting of Young Adults. During this Jubilee year of hope, it will be a sign of our desire for peace and fraternity in all our diversity.

Many of you will remember the World Youth Day in Lisbon almost two years ago. At that occasion, Pope Francis said that “Todos, todos, todos” (“for everyone, everyone, everyone”) was welcome in the communion which is the Church. Now he is not so well. Yesterday I wrote to the Pope and told him that I would ask the young people gathered in Taizé to pray for his health. So let our next song be for Pope Francis and please continue to pray for him as you return home.

Prayer live from Taizé

Matthew — 2025-01-07T15:30:00Z

Every Saturday

Every Saturday, evening prayer is livestreamed from Taizé at 8.30 pm (CET | UTC+1) on the Taizé social media networks. The link will be published here afterwards.

Order of prayer — 09/08/2025

Song	Alleluia (94)
Psalm 23	Alleluia 22 (77)
Reading	Psalm 27:4
Song	Atme in uns (158)
— Silence —
Intercessions	Kyrie 9 (83)
Song	In te confido (46)
Prayer
Song	Laudate Dominum (10)
Gospel	John 20:19-23
Songs	Az egek és a földek (118)
	Ô toi, l'au-delà de tout (149)

All songs from Taizé are © Ateliers et Presses de Taizé.
The song numbers refer to the Taizé songbook 2025-2026.
The songs can also be found from this page.

Every day

You can receive each evening prayer on live audio from Taizé

Monday to Sunday at 8.30pm (CET | UTC+1) from the Church of Reconciliation live audio. The interface is available in a frame on the home page of the site and below.

Prayer live from Taizé

Prayers in replay

Hera are audio clips of the two most recent prayers to allow those who wish to pray at another time to do so.

2022-02-28 20:30

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2022-02-27 20:30

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Typical order of a prayer

A section on our website helps with learning the Taizé songs and the different voice parts.

Evening prayer

Song
Psalm
Bible reading
Song
Silence
Intercessions or litany of praise
Song
Blessing
Songs