European youths to usher in New Year with Taize songs

(Dec. 19, 2012) European youths are scheduled to usher in the New Year in Rome with Taize songs. The simple songs using phrases from the Psalms repeated over and over, form a frame around the 10 full minutes of absolute silence that lies at the heart of the Taize ecumenical community's prayer. As monks from the community, based in France, and volunteers prepared to welcome more than 30,000 European young adults to Rome Dec. 28 for the annual "pilgrimage of trust," they gathered each afternoon for several weeks at the Basilica of St. John Lateran to pray. The young people and the monks will share their prayer with Pope Benedict XVI as well. Msgr. Guido Marini, master of papal liturgical ceremonies said that the pope will join the young people for Taize prayer on Dec. 29 in St. Peter's Basilica.
The Taizé community was founded by Brother Roger, a Swiss Protestant, in 1940. After World War II, his vision was for the monastery to be a place of welcome and reconciliation, especially between Christians of different denominations. The community now has about 100 monks from 25 different countries; about half are Catholic and half are Protestant.
In the 1960s and '70s, Brother John said, lots of young people just started showing up and they are still coming. The founder, "Brother Roger, said, 'This is important. If these young people are coming, they are searching for something and we need to respond. The community does not just wait for the young people though, it goes out to them.
Since 1978, "the pilgrimage of trust" has been held in cities all over Europe, bringing people 16-35 years old together Dec. 28-Jan. 2 for sharing, discussions and, mainly, prayer. The young people will gather twice a day at the major basilicas of Rome; organizers also have set aside the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem for silent prayer and confession, or a simple heart-to-heart talk with a priest or brother.