About Taizé
Taizé is a form of contemplative prayer that originated in a small village in eastern France after which it is named. For over fifty years, Taizé, France, has been the home of an ecumenical Christian monastic community. Members of the Taizé community belong to several different Christian denominations. Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, Orthodox and others live and pray together, share a simple life and welcome thousands of visitors who come to spend time with them every year from all over the world.
Taizé prayer services are composed of silence and song, candlelight and stillness, prayer and contemplation. The music is unique and distinctive. Taizé chants are deceptively simple refrains that are repeated, mantra-like, by the whole congregation, while instrumental and vocal soloists occasionally add verses on top of the repeated refrains. The music is accessible, participatory, and meditative.
