Brother Emile presents Taizé in Jerusalem

After a joyful celebration of the Advent Eucharist on Sunday, November 27, 2011, the members of the Jerusalem kehilla gathered in the parish hall in order to listen to a few words about the monastic community in Taizé, France, founded by Brother Roger and dedicated to the work for the unity of the Church.

Brother Emile, who was a guest in the Saint James Vicariate over a number of days, shared with those present his reflections on his monastery. The evening began with the screening of a short film about Taizé, focused on the mass assemblies of youth that are organized throughout the year, The young people from all over the world witnessed to the experience of unity, prayerfulness and beauty during the days they spent in Taizé. The video can be watched here.

Brother Emile then gave some historical background about the founding of Taizé. Brother Roger, a Swiss Protestant, moved to France during the Second World War and began by opening a house to provide refuge for Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. At the end of the war, he worked with German prisoners of war. The community slowly grew and transformed into a fraternity that counts 100 brothers today. Each year, tens of thousands flock to the monastery to pray with the monks – who are Catholic and Protestant. The brothers also travel to other parts of the world to organize days of prayer for the youth.

At the end of the presentation Brother Emile answered the many questions that were posed by members of the kehilla about life in Taizé, about the liturgy, the common life of Catholics and Protestants and the work with the youth.

Brother Emile is on a trip to the Middle East that has included a Taizé prayer in the Vicariate last Thursday, other prayers in Nazareth, in the Lutheran Church in the Old City of Jerusalem and in the Beit Sahour parish and a visit to the Hol HaNeshama synagogue, where the rabbi is a good friend of the brothers, From Jerusalem he will continue his way to Amman and Beirut.

We hope contacts between our kehillot and Taizé can develop in the years to come!

Visit the Taize site here