What is a Taizé Community Prayer?

A Taize prayer session is a meditative and contemplatative form of worhip that includes songs of praise, candle lighting, periods of silence, intercessory prayers, and others, The name is from the place where it was founded in 1940.

Taizé gets its name from the place where it was founded years ago in France.

In 1940, the Taizé Community was founded in Taizé, France, as a community. Since its founding, Taizé has focused on promoting unity among denominations and welcoming brothers from diverse backgrounds. The community is centered around values of love, reconciliation, and forgiveness, creating an environment that encourages exploration without being overly rigid or dogmatic.

At Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish, the essence of Taizé is embraced through a Taizé prayer session held every first Wednesday of the month after the 5:30 p.m. daily mass. This gathering provides a space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual connection inspired by the traditions and ethos of the Taizé Community.

A Taizé prayer session is a meditative and contemplative form of worship that includes the following elements:

Songs of Praise
Psalm Reading
Scripture Reading
Silence. A significant period of silence is observed, allowing participants to reflect and pray silently.
Intercessory Prayers
Candle lighting. Often, candles are lit during the session, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World.
Closing Songs

The entire session is conducted in a simple, candle-lit environment, creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere. There is no preaching or teaching during the service, allowing participants to focus on their personal spiritual experience³.

(Photos courtesy of OLP PYM)

¹: Taizé Community ²: Taizé Community ³: Centering Space ⁴: Creighton University