Perspectief 2014-25

2014-25 Description of the practice 17 Reageer 2.2.3 Morning prayer The morning prayer starts at 8.15 AM. The main difference with the other two prayers that take place around noon and in the evening is that in this morning prayer communion is being administered. That is why it is significant for this research. Typical for the Taizé prayers is that almost everything is being sung. The prayer starts with the brothers entering the church, taking their places in their designated area. LED displays throughout the church announce the next song. A songbook and leaflets with additional songs and the reading are distributed at the entrances. When all brothers are seated, the service starts with a song. Thereafter, a psalm is being sung, most of it by the brothers, the refrain by all. After this, the people in the front will turn around, so that all face the ambon, from which the gospel of that service is being read. This happens in two languages, in this case in French and English. After another song all will turn towards the altar again. Small excerpts from the gospel are being read in several more languages, so that most people have had the chance to hear it in a language they know. After yet another song, a silence is kept for seven to twelve minutes. This silence replaces the homily and provides space for personal contemplation or prayer. After the silence, intercessions are being uttered or sung by the brothers, interspersed by one of Taizé’s ‘Kyrie eleison’ songs, followed in the end by the ‘Our Father’ . Then, everyone stands up for a simple communion prayer, after which communion is administered. This prayer is taken from the tradition of Taizé itself. As stated above, the bread and wine are consecrated in the morning mass. There is also the possibility to turn to administers of blessed bread or of Protestant communion. These are held by so called permanents, young people who have decided to stay several weeks or even several months in Taizé. They locate themselves at designated places in the front section of the church. Especially in the busy periods like Easter and throughout summer, the church is very crowded. It is physically a challenge find one’s way to the front section to actually make use of these possibilities. Although I lacked the means to investigate it, I have reason to assume that at least some of the non Catholic visitors turn to the brothers administering Catholic communion instead of to the administers of Protestant bread or the blessed bread.