In the very week marking the 80th anniversary when a young 25 year old Swiss man risked everything for an adventure of holiness and founded the Taize community on a hillside in Burgundy, pilgrims from the Diocese of Leeds alongside other friends travelled together to glimpse the mystery of the undivided church in simplicity, joy and trust.
21 hours on coach and ferry and a damp, cold arrival did not make for the most promising of beginnings for the pilgrimage, but, in the words of one person: “It turned from hell to fabulous, overnight.”
Life in Taize is simple. Pilgrims fall into the rhythm of life of the Taize community with prayer 3 times a day, simple meals, a Bible introduction, the opportunity to reflect and discover with others what life in Christ can mean and to discern God’s presence amid the challenges of everyday life.
We rejoiced in the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell joining us for the weekend and presided at a glorious Eucharist in the village church and, in preaching at the Sunday Eucharist reminded everyone that “however difficult, challenging or costly, Jesus has the words of eternal life”.
Among the joys of the week was connecting the Taize Prior, Matthew with his former neighbours in Pudsey and presenting him with a football shirt of his beloved Bradford City Football Club!
In the words of a pilgrim: “Worship, a bit challenging at first, at the start sitting in silence for 10 minutes seems ridiculous, but you find it easier and it has more meaning as you go along. It is amazing how many different ways there are to sing Alleluia. You don’t have to be an amazing singer to join in, fortunately, everyone together sounds great. I have had a really pressured year studying for my A levels, waiting for results. Life is so different and so simple at Taize, you reset. It’s worship, work and the people you are with. It is completely relaxing.
“I want to come again next year and would recommend it to others who haven’t made the pilgrimage yet.”