Taize at Benet Hill
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| Peace Vigil | |
History of Taize
"Whoever sings, prays twice."
Taizé is an ecumenical community of brothers in a village in eastern France (specifically Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France) where this center of prayer and hospitality was founded. It is composed of about 100 brothers who come from Protestant and Catholic traditions. The brothers come from about 30 countries across the world. The monastic order has a strong devotion to peace and justice through prayer and meditation.
Brother Roger Schutz began the community in 1940 to help Jews
fleeing the Nazis. It has become a place of reconciliation since the devastation of World War II. Today the community joins in common prayer three times
a day.
The prayer is based on music that has a simple refrain, sung over and over.
This repetition maintains the meditative quality o f the prayer
and yet keeps the prayer accessible to all.
The Brothers feel that since there is no beginning or end to the prayers, the mind is freed. This kind of prayer gives the spirit space to act because the mind is no longer occupied with concepts. By singing the same chant over and over, the body feels it completely and the heart is able to be with God.
www.inassoc.com/Raphael/Taize.htm
What is Taize?
This is meditative common prayer. Gathered in the presence of Christ
we sing uncomplicated repetitive songs, uncluttered by too many words,
allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity.
Singing is one of the
most essential elements
of worship.
Short songs, repeated
again and again, give it
a meditative character.
Using just a few words songs
express a basic reality of faith,
quickly grasped by the mind.
As the words are sung
over and over many times,
this reality gradually
penetrates the whole being.
Meditative singing thus
becomes a way of
listening to God.
It allows everyone to take
part in a time
of prayer together
and to remain together
in attentive waiting on God.
Can anyone participate?
The tradition of Taize includes people from all faiths. Benet Hill specifically encourages people of all faiths to partake of our hospitality, education and retreat programs. We are grateful for anyone who joins us in prayer. We provide liturgical guides for participants and lead through example so everyone will feel welcome.
Join us on the Fourth Sunday of every month (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter months) at 7:00 pm.New Years eve we host a special Peace Vigil, also at 7:00 pm.
Taize Schedule: January - May
Our Lady of Peace Chapel
7:00 PM
Fourth Sunday of the Month unless otherwise noted:
January 30, 2011
February 27, 2011
March 27, 2011
No Taize in April due to Easter Celebration
May 29, 2011
Taize Peace Vigil
December 31, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Our Lady of Peace Chapel
The New Year encourages reflection and an open heart to look toward the future. We at Benet Hilll hold the ferverent prayer for peace in our hearts throughout the year.
On new Years eve we hold a special Taize Peace Vigil to welcome the New Year with a spirit of hope, prayer and peace. It is a very special opportunity for us to join with our fellow seekers of God to focus on peace through song, prayer, mditation and silence.