Taizé Prayer at St. Norbert Abbey

Taizé prayer is held on the third Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Abbey Church.

Taizé prayer is a quiet, simple way of prayer designed for people of all Christian traditions. These meditative candlelit services include simple chants sung repeatedly, rich silence and prayers of praise and intercession.

A portion of a Taizé prayer service can be viewed by clicking here.

 

Taizé: A Brief History

Taizé is a small village located in the Burgundy region of France, just north of Cluny. It was there in the 1940s that Brother Roger, a Swiss native, founded the Taizé community–an ecumenical Christian monastic order established to assist those who had been affected by World War II.

The Catholic and Protestant Brothers' desire was to create a community of hospitality and trust for people from all over the world. They developed a monastic prayer service of silence, music, scripture and contemplation. More than 100,000 people from around the world visit Taizé every year, often drawn to its message of peace and hope.

 

Newspaper Articles on Taizé Prayer

A peace-filled way of worship at St. Norbert Abbey
Christians gather at Abbey for Taizé prayer service of meditation, songs of praise
September 2, 2011
"The Green Bay Press Gazette"

St. Norbert Abbey hosts Taizé prayer
Abbey welcomes guests to experience Taizé prayer
November 24, 2010
“The Compass”

 

What People Are Saying About Taizé Prayer

“I know that that hour is going to help me get grounded, getting in touch with the divine in my life. It’s almost been lifesaving. It’s like no other prayer experience.”
- Carrie Arnold

“It felt like the music was engulfing me, especially with the final song, how the crescendo built. The whole service builds from calm, soothing tones to exhilarating, energetic music.”
- Koren Bandoch, Norbertine Volunteer Community

“I attend Taizé prayer to explore a different means of prayer other than personal, silent contemplative prayer. I feel soothed and energized by the repetitive nature.”
- Stephanie Birmingham, Norbertine Volunteer Community

“The music chosen each time to sing reaches deep inside you, and you feel very close to God and everyone there. There is a mix of Catholics and non-Catholics who come to pray and worship. It’s beautiful!”
- Mike Dockry, Former President, Norbertine Associates

“It’s a different way of prayer and worship.  It’s really hard to describe.  You feel some common community, purpose, strength, support and unity. It’s very meaningful, a very personal way to connect with God. It’s very much a gift for the people who come.”
- Faye Howell

“It is so important to us that we keep ‘3rd Sunday’ as a ‘scheduled appointment’ on our calendar – that if we miss we feel a deep hole did not get filled because we were not able to come to this rich banquet of prayer and quiet celebration. We have a place to reflect – to process – to praise – to be filled – to bring to the Cross the concerns and burdens of our lives – to be part of a community of prayer – to be empowered for another month… It truly is a ‘one size fits all’ form of spirituality. It makes you feel grateful for the Abbey and what it is providing to the community surrounding it.”
- Mary Lea Jones

“Having been to Taizé, France, and visited the Brothers of Taizé, to have this experience so close to home is a wonderful opportunity. Taizé prayer focuses everyone present on the importance of peace and reconciliation in our world.”
- Ellen Mommaerts, Director, Norbertine Volunteer Community

“Joining together, power in numbers… It’s a moving way to show faith, done very well. I just find it a nice personal experience.”
- Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem.