Brother Roger and Taizé A New Springtime
Father Bryan Wells
ISBN 9781860827884
eISBN 9781784694821
ASIN B075P2VFRD
CTS Booklet B746
I have had this volume for a while but have just not got around to reading it. I picked this up to read when I was almost finished 15 Days of Prayer with Brother Roger of Taizé by Sabine Laplane. I figured it would be a good read and the two volumes could supplement each other. I read this one one morning over 2 large mugs of tea.
Over the last several years, I have read many books from the Catholic Truth Society, in fact over 465 of them as of the reading of this volume; many read more than once; this all since the spring of 2018. Most were good reads; some were great reads; and a few are exceptional. And this is an another great little volume.
The description of this volume is:
“This booklet explores the world-famous centre of ecumenical prayer and pilgrimage, Taizé in eastern France, giving practical advice for people travelling there, and the man behind it, Brother Roger Schutz.
Taizé in eastern France is a world-famous centre of ecumenical prayer and pilgrimage, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, especially young people. This booklet explores both the place itself, giving practical advice for people travelling there, and the man behind it, Brother Roger Schutz.
Born and raised in Switzerland where he became the leader of the Swiss Student Christian Movement, Brother Roger arrived in Taizé amidst the Nazi invasion of France in 1940, convinced that his calling was to help the poor. For the next 65 years, up to his tragic death in 2005, he worked to bring all people closer to Christ through prayer and reflection. That desire is still key to the work of the Taizé Community today.”
The chapters and sections in the book are:
Christianity’s best kept secret
Roger’s early years
Taizé and ecumenism
Taizé today – a new springtime
Visiting Taizé
Why come to Taizé?
Four secrets of Taizé
The Sacraments at Taizé
Taizé and Rome
A reflection
I highlighted a few passages while reading this volume, some of them are:
“Many people associate Taizé with a style of music or with specific songs such as “Jesus, Remember me” or “Bless the Lord my Soul”. Some may have heard of Br. Roger, who started the Taizé community, or know that Taizé is a place in France, while others associate it with a contemplative spirituality. These associations are all true–but they are only glimmers of the actual community of Taizé.”
“Unlike most religious communities, Taizé does not have a long history–at time of writing (2012) only seventy-two years.”
“From his arrival at Taizé in 1940 until his death in 2005, Br. Roger’s life was totally dedicated to living the way of Christ, to solidarity with the poor and to seeking the reconciliation of churches, individuals and nations. Focusing on the gospel’s essence has enabled the Community to speak to the lives of millions of young people over the years.”
“We get the impression of a solitary but not lonely boy. The house was always full of visitors, and Roger wrote that his childhood, far from being sad and lonely, was full and active. The house was full of music–pianos and a gramophone–and the young Roger developed a love for Bach and Chopin, who would often move him to tears. In later years, in the company of his Taizé brothers, he loved listening to music, “through which the plenitude of God is made more accessible.””
“He was ill for several years and came close to death. The long period of his recovery, however, was also to be formative. He took long walks in the mountain air and he also studied with the idea of becoming a writer.”
“This Taizé house would now become the base for the Grande Communauté and in December 1940 it held its first meeting in what they called the house of Cluny.”
“Eventually the house of the four young men became a focal point for students, workers and trade union officials; their strong links with working people was to be one of the major themes of the eventual Taizé community.”
“It was not until 1953 that Br. Roger wrote out the Rule of Taizé. Like most monastic Rules (the charter of regulations governing a community) it was the fruit of experimental living. The Rule of Taizé is not prescriptive but attempts to suggest a spirit and to motivate and inspire a way of life. It is solidly based on phrases from the Scriptures. The first brothers-all Protestants-would have been well versed in Scripture.”
“This appeal bore fruit. In September 1960, and again in 1961, Br. Roger invited a dozen Catholic bishops and fifty Protestant Pastors to meet at Taizé for three days. This was one of the first gatherings of its kind since the Reformation and Br. Roger invited all participants to share their common pastoral concerns and the problems each was experiencing in the contemporary world.”
“In late afternoon, a series of voluntary workshops are offered, covering a large and varied list of topics; these may include anger management, spirituality through music, understanding icons, being the church in the world, and many more. These are well attended and of a high standard of presentation, complementing the compulsory Bible Introduction.”
“Perhaps more than simply importing the chants, we need to import these other powerful aspects of Taizé-reconciliation, freedom and trust–if our young people are to grow into the likeness of Christ and so transform their world and themselves in the process.”
“The story of Taizé is inextricably bound up with the eventual goal of the union of all Christians, respecting the ministry of the Bishop of Rome as universal pastor.”
I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. I will admit I was aware of the name Brother Roger, and Taizé prior to reading this volume and the other mentioned. I do recall the ealy paperback edition of the Glory & Praise Hymn booklets in church in the late 70’s and early 80’s and the connection to Taizé. But I had not looked much into it. In the early 2000’s when I was a mature student back in university, the Chaplains office often used the music of Taizé. And I recall a few students who even went. But I had never really looked into it with any depth. I am thankful I have done so now with this volume.
This book is an interesting read. I am thankful for the work that the CTS does, and for their effort to stay up to date on eBook editions. With my dual form of dyslexia and my son having eye tracking issues I consider them essential, especially with adaptive technology. I am thankful for this volume. This is a good read I can easily recommend it, for those wanting an introduction to Brother Roger and Taizé!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
Books by or about Brother Roger and Taizé:
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