Taize Prayer
The Taizé Community is an ecumenical community of brothers founded in 1940 by Brother Roger in Taizé, France. Today, thousands of people of all ages from around the world come on pilgrimage to Taizé.
At its heart, Taizé is many people from different backgrounds all on a search. It is about having questions but also hope, and learning that community isn’t that we are always one but that we want to become one. In the spirit of sharing, openness, listening and reconciliation, trust can be developed to heal divisions and challenge isolation.
The simple prayer developed at Taizé centres around the Word of God. Simple chants are repeated often so that they can become embodied.
Tips for preparing the space for prayer:
- Avoid clutter. Keep the focus toward a large cross, placed in the front of the prayer space.
- Other elements you can include: candles, and open Bible, icons, plants, chimney flues.
- Keep the lighting subdued
- Participants should be facing the same direction during prayer (towards cross). This shows that we are not praying to one another but to Christ. Those who wish can sit or kneel during prayer on a carpet placed in the centre of the prayer space.
- If you have musicians, position them to the side so they do not distract the focus.
- Any explanations should be done at the beginning of the service so the flow is not interrupted.
- Readings are done from where one is seated. Attention is not drawn to any one person.
Music books: Songs & Prayers from Taizé
Taizé: Songs for Prayer
For more information, including further instructions and samples of music, visit the Taizé website at www.taize.fr
TAIZE PRAYER
Veni Sancte Spiritus
Bless the Lord
Nada te turbe (Nothing can trouble)
PSALM 27
(read aloud, alternating sides)
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
do not hide your face from me.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Response: Alleluia 7
READING
John 12: 20-26
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
REFLECTION/HOMILY (optional)
if no reflection) Laudate Dominum (Sing, praise and bless the Lord)
SILENCE
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
(Feel free to voice your own prayers of petition)
Response: Kyrie 17
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Sing out, my soul (Magnificat canon)
In the Lord
Ubi caritas (Live in charity)
CLOSING PRAYER
God our Father. You sent your Son to make us a new creation and give us abundant life. We wish to see Jesus so that we might fulfill His call for us to be salt of the earth and light for the world. May your Spirit fill us and guide our eyes so they see, our ears so they hear, our hands so they may serve, our lips so we may praise you, our hearts so we love, and our feet so we may continue to walk in your paths as pilgrims who come to worship your Son. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord is my song (same music as “O Lord, hear my prayer”)
TAIZE PRAYER
Veni Sancte Spiritus
Bless the Lord
Nada te turbe (Nothing can trouble)
PSALM 105
(read aloud, alternating sides)
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who see the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
Response: Alleluia 7
READING
Matthew 2:1-4, 9-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
After hearing Herod the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
REFLECTION/HOMILY (optional)
(if no reflection) Laudate omnes gentes (Sing praises)
SILENCE
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
(Feel free to voice your own prayers of petition)
Response: Kyrie 17
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Sing out, my soul (Magnificat canon)
In the Lord
Ubi caritas (Live in charity)
CLOSING PRAYER
God our Father. You sent your Son to make us a new creation and give us abundant life. We wish to see Jesus so that we might fulfill His call for us to be salt of the earth and light for the world. May your Spirit fill us and guide our eyes so they see, our ears so they hear, our hands so they may serve, our lips so we may praise you, our hearts so we love, and our feet so we may continue to walk in your paths as pilgrims who come to worship your Son. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord is my song (same music as “O Lord, hear my prayer”)
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