The following blog was originally posted in February 2019. I wanted to write about the blessings of music for this week’s blog when I remembered that I had written this one about our wonderful experience with meeting Taize music in Ireland. The wonder of this event has stayed with me through the years and continues to remind me of how music puts me in touch with the awesomeness of God.
I sing in a chorus which sometimes performs with a full symphonic orchestra. We had that opportunity at the end of January this year. The chorus performed three works by French composers: Ravel, Debussy and Berlioz. We were seated on the stage floor in and among the 50+ musicians. My heart and soul were engaged from the first chord. This blessing of music leaves me wordless for explanation. I simply feel the joy and thank the Lord. Please leave for soul open for the joy of Taize.

It was the Fall of 1991, on one of our trips to Ireland in the Donegal town of Dungloe that we first experienced a Taize Worship Service, by accident actually. But are there really accidents?

We thought that we were going to a Sunday service in the local church. When we arrived, we were overwhelmed with the number of people attending what turned out to be a mission with a Taize prayer service and veneration of the cross. People of all ages were crowded into the church, sitting wherever there was free space. And singing! Singing these beautiful simple chants that are the hallmark of Taize music and worship.

Taize is the name given to the spiritual movement founded by Brother Roger Schűtz in France 1940. From the beginning, Taize’s community has been committed to helping people in need and worshipping God in a simple monastic way. It is an ecumenical Christian group of men from various religions who live and worship together three times a day.

Their worship service includes Bible readings, meditation and simple, repetitive chants, many of which we use in our own Sunday services. The spiritual practice of simple chants allows the soul to reach a different level of relation with God. The outer world falls away for a time and there is just you and God.

Taize’s Church of Reconciliation is aptly named as it has become and important site for Catholic-Lutheran ecumenism involving an ongoing dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and various synods of the Lutheran denomination, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Thousands of Christian pilgrims make the journey to Burgundy France to experience the spiritual refreshment offered there.

How can I relay to you the wonder of this movement and the gifts that it bestows on its followers? Is it another demonstration of the unconditional love which God has for us? In my opinion, yes, it is. God loves you unconditionally and wants you to avail yourself of all the methods available to be in a right relationship with Him. Prayer, meditation and chants are some of the ways to fulfill this relationship.

“Bless the Lord, my soul. And bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul. Who leads me into life.”

Terri