AN EVENING WITH THE LORD

THROUGH TAIZÉ WORSHIP

I. Preparation
It is very important to prepare the community before the prayers
begin. To prepare the people, a facilitator should discuss a few
points by gathering the group away from the place of prayer.
Explanation on the background of taizé, flow and format of the
prayer will help the people to truly experience and embody the
prayers.

Background
Taizé began, as a form of prayer, in the little village of Taizé in northern France during
the Second World War. More precisely this prayer came from the ecumenical community
of Brothers founded by Br Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche; it has been growing in
popularity and spreading around the world ever since. Taizé is a fairly simple and straight
forward meditative form of prayer.

Through the use of repetitive phrases, music, silence, scripture, set and intercessory
prayers, participants are invited to stillness and to listen for and to the voice of God. One
of the rules of Taizé as stated by Br Roger is to keep inner silence always, and you will
dwell in Christ for it is through inner silence that makes possible our conversation with
God.(Br Roger of Taizé)

Taizé prayer is usually conducted in a church, chapel or a room and commences in

darkness. As the prayer session proceeds candles or lamps are lit. Candles are usually
given to all present as a symbol of the presence of the risen Lord. Christ is the centre of
Taizé reflection and the light signifies that Jesus Christ has conquered the darkness of
death and sin. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that an offer of new life is given. There is
hope for humankind; there exists the real possibility for change, and there is a life we
never dared hope for. (Br Roger of Taizé)

A short silence commences and the people are lead to the place of prayer, again, in
silence.

II. Taizé Prayer

Opening silence, for a few moments, followed by opening chant.

a. Opening chants
Brief silence after the second chant…

b. Psalm

MY SOUL FINDS REST IN GOD ALONE / MY SALVATION COMES

FROM HIM/ HE ALONE IS MY ROCK, MY SALVATION, MY FORTRESS
/ I SHALL NEVER BE AFRAID, I SHALL NEVER BE AFRAID.

I. TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES, OH, PEOPLE OF GOD / POUR OUT

YOUR HEARTS TO HIM / HE IS OUR REFUGE AND HE IS OUR HOPE.

II. REST YOUR HEART NOT IN RICHES, NOR HONOR OF THE

WORLD / WEIGHED OUT WITH THE HEART OF GOD / THESE BLOW
TO NOTHINGNESS, VANISH LIKE BREATH.

III. “YOU, YOURSELF” LORD HAVE SAID, “I AM YOUR STRENGTH,

I AM YOUR DELIVERER, LOVING AND MERCIFUL, FATHER OF ALL.

c. Alleluia

Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia to the Lord

Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia to the Lord
Sing Alleluia, Alleluia

d. Gospel reading

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 12:49-53)

Glory to You, Lord

Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
 From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to You Lord, Jesus Christ

Silence and reflection

Reflections:

“I Have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already
blazing”

“Am I a true witness of the Gospel through word and deed?”

Silence…

Silence...

e. Prayers of the faithful

f. The Lord’s prayer
 Amami sadi langit madaydayaw koma ti naganmo
Dumteng koma ti pagariam
Matungpal koma ti nakem mo
Ditoy daga a kas sadi langit

Itdem kadakam ti aldaw ditoy ti kanenmi

Ti patinayon nga aldaw pakawanem daguiti basbasolmi
Kas met koma iti pammakawanmi kadaguiti met nakabasbasol
kadakami

Dinakam met baybay-an nga umannugit iti sulisog

Ket isalakannakam ket iti dakes

*The cross will be venerated after the The Lord’s prayer. The young people
can gather around the cross during the continuous singing of the Taize songs.

Songs:
Closing prayer:
*God of all eternity, Savior of every life, in the footsteps of the holy witnesses
to Christ down through the ages, from the apostles and the Virgin Mary to
those of today, enable us to dispose ourselves inwardly day by day to place
our trust in the Mystery of the Faith.