Taizé broadened my horizon
In 1997, while a student, I wanted to know the place from which the beautiful hymns emanated that Radio Notre-Dame broadcast every week during prayer in Taizé, in Saône-et-Loire. There seemed to be great things happening in this ecumenical community geared towards young people.
I called to find out when to go there: “When can you come?” I was told. This week, there will be a song recording workshop… Are you a musician? Very good…” I had the joy of participating in this group, living and praying with young people from all over the world. Unforgettable.
In 2002, the community invited parishes to welcome young pilgrims from all over Europe for the meeting held in Paris that year. With Adeline, my wife, we had just moved into an apartment with an empty bedroom, because we were expecting our third child. Wasn’t that a sign?
We reported to our parish of Courbevoie (Hauts-de-Seine). At the end of December, four young Poles found a place with us, bringing us small gifts – I remember a braid of garlic! At breakfast we exchanged a few words before they left until the evening.
After January 1, they returned to Poland with a bottle of champagne each, amazed as if they had received a gold bar. We had the joy of broadening our horizons thanks to them.
Later, I took on responsibilities in the European scout movement, where our children played. I introduced them to Taizé. There, you can come across young people with blue or pink hair, rings in their ears or noses, and find them meditating at the weekly ceremony of the Cross.
It doesn’t matter what appearances are, it’s what’s in your heart that counts, Taizé taught me. Today, in our family, three of us out of five wear the community’s discreet dove-shaped cross around our necks. If there is a place on Earth that gives me an idea of paradise, it is this hill in Burgundy.
In December, the European youth meeting is held again in Paris*. I participate in the support team at the parish. With Adeline, we will open our door, with happiness.
* 48th European meeting, in Paris, from December 28 to January 1. If you wish to receive pilgrims, contact your parish.
Rens. : taizeparisidf.fr, “host” tab
