Parishes and schools across the Diocese sing Taizé chants in Masses, liturgies and as aids to prayerful reflection. But few know that these chants are written by an ecumenical community based in France, comprising around 80 brothers from different Christian denominations. Their pattern of prayer, grounded in Scripture and song, is a tangible sign of reconciliation amongst Christians. Throughout the year, they welcome tens of thousands of young adults from across the world to join them for a week and experience this communal life.
As part of a recent visit to the UK, Br Matthew, Prior of Taizé, and Br Jean-Patrick, the Taizé Community’s link to the UK, took part in an evening of ecumenical prayer for peace, hosted by St Peter’s Italian Church in Clerkenwell.
The parish priest, Fr Andrea, welcomed a congregation made up of Christian clergy and faithful from a range of denominations, including Bishop Anderson Jeremiah, the Anglican Bishop of Edmonton.
Speaking after the event, Fr Andrea shared that it “was a great joy and honour for St. Peter's Italian Church to host an ecumenical prayer for peace and a real gift for us to welcome Br Matthew and Br Jean-Patrick. They provided such a meaningful and joyful witness, together with pastors and religious from around London, to the reconciling power of the love of Christ”.
Fr Andrea continued, “the Catholic Church is like a mother who embraces all her children, without walls or borders. Through her, the love of Christ inspires us to work and pray for the unity of Christians, and for peace in our broken world”.
Fr Andrea also expressed his gratitude to all those “who worked tirelessly to make this prayer for peace such a blessed occasion for all”.
The evening, which consisted of Taizé chants, readings from Scripture and prayers of intercession, demonstrated the power of a united Christian community at prayer.
Offering a brief reflection during the evening, Br Matthew remarked that the mixture of those from different churches, generations and backgrounds was truly “a vision of the Kingdom of God”.
In times of war and conflict, Br Matthew explained that by joining in prayer, Christians “do not fall into the indifference of what is going on in our world”. Instead, prayer helps us to “enter into the mysterious plan for peace”, one in which “Christ is our peace – a peace that the world cannot give”.
Earlier in the day, Br Matthew and Br Jean-Patrick met with Bishop Jim Curry, as well as joining members of the Curia and ecumenical guests in Vaughan House for lunch and a time of prayer together.
The prayer, led by Br Jean-Patrick, included the Taizé chant “Jesus, Remember Me”. During this most precious Holy Week, may we too remember in our prayers those who are forgotten, those caught up in violence and in war. May we remember that this prayer liberates us from indifference and directs our actions towards peace.
