Coming to Taizé

Coming to Taizé means to be invited to search for communion with God through community prayer, song, silence, personal reflection and sharing.

A stay in Taizé can help one step back from daily life, to meet a wide variety of people and consider one’s commitment in the Church and in society.

During their visit all participants join in the community life and the daily programme.

Please read the practical information regarding the meetings and the dates for this year. Remember to register in advance.

Volunteering in Taizé

  • What is the meaning of my life?
  • I no longer have the time to think.
  • What is God calling me to?

If you are thinking about these things, we have a suggestion to make.

The brothers of the community, together with the sisters of the other communities who live in Taizé, would be unable on their own to welcome the large numbers who come throughout the year. The presence of a group of volunteers makes the international meetings possible.

So becoming a volunteer means:

Taking an active part in the life in Taizé, including its daily rhythm of three community prayers;

making yourself available for the various tasks and services needed for the meetings;

participating in and enriching the common life of the group in which you live.

The volunteers in Taizé, young people between the ages of 18 and 29, share the various practical tasks in running the youth meetings. However, staying as a volunteer is first of all a chance to think about one’s next step in life through reflection, regular community prayer and sharing with others. Each volunteer has a regular meeting with one of the sisters (for women) or one of the brothers (for men) to talk over their ideas and questions.

At any one time there are about 40 young men and women staying for a few months or a year. They are not only from Europe, but also from other continents. Their community life is organised in several groups with accommodation which is separate from that of the general youth meetings.

Volunteers are welcome initially for a trial period of 4 or 5 weeks, before committing to stay longer. We cannot receive volunteers for less than 4 weeks. At certain times of the year, we do not accept volunteers.

The youth meetings at Taizé last one week. If you wish to stay for longer then write to longerstay@taize.fr saying a bit about yourself, whether you have already been to Taizé, and what your plans are. If you are already in personal contact with one of the brothers or sisters, it is good to mention that.

Program

of a typical day

8:00 am

Morning prayer, followed by breakfast

10:00 am

Bible introduction with a brother of the community followed by quiet reflection or small group discussion

12:20 pm

Midday prayer, then lunch

2:00 pm

Optional song practice where you can learn Taizé songs in four-part harmony.

3:00 pm

During the afternoon: international small groups or practical work (such as cleaning, cooking, preparing the church, etc.)

5:00 pm

Tea time with a snack

5:30 pm

Theme workshops (from Tuesday onwards)

7:00 pm

supper

8:00 pm (Friday)

30 minutes of silence in the main church for peace

8:30 pm

Evening prayer, then vigil with songs in the church, followed by night silence

Une semaine de silence

Pendant leur séjour à Taizé, certains jeunes de 18-35 ans font le choix de passer une semaine individuellement en silence. Prendre le temps d’écouter, à travers la prière, la lecture de la Bible et la réflexion personnelle, peut redonner élan et aider à découvrir un peu plus la présence de Dieu dans nos vies.

Les jeunes qui passent une semaine en silence participent aux prières communes ensemble avec tous les autres. Le logement et les repas sont à part dans un lieu réservé pour le silence. Chaque jour, une réflexion biblique est donnée par une sœur ou un frère. Des sœurs ou des frères sont disponibles pour celles ou ceux qui veulent parler personnellement au cours de la semaine. Le reste de la journée est passé en silence. Des suggestions sont données pour aménager ce temps.

Il est aussi possible de ne passer que deux jours en silence, de jeudi soir à dimanche.

A l’arrivée, merci de spécifier que vous pensez à passer la semaine en silence. L’une des sœurs ou l’un des frères vous aidera à choisir quelle est la meilleure manière de passer la semaine.

info pour les adultes 36+ ans

Actuellement, nous ne proposons pas un programme spécifique pour des adultes de plus de 35 ans qui souhaitent faire une vraie retraite en silence. Néanmoins, pour ceux qui le souhaitent, il y a la possibilité d'être logés dans des dortoirs à part, avec d'autres qui veulent passer la semaine en silence, et de prendre les repas à part, tout en assistant aux introductions bibliques données au groupe "adultes".