Taizé Prayer at St. Norbert Abbey

A peace-filled way of worship at St. Norbert
Christians gather at Abbey for Taizé prayer service of meditation, songs of praise

By Katrina Marshall
Special to the Press-Gazette

Tiny vigil candles flicker, burning brightly in the darkness. A Celtic cross is displayed in the center of the worship space, so those who choose to do so may pray around it. People of all Christian traditions gather to meditate with silent prayers and sing songs of praise and intercession. The soothing calm of repeated chants fills the room.

This is Taizé prayer at St. Norbert Abbey.

Taizé prayer originated in Taizé, France, during the 1940s, when a Protestant pastor in Switzerland—Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche, also known as, "Brother Roger"—founded a small ecumenical Christian community to help care for children in need after World War II. The popularity of the community began to draw youth from all over the world. With reconciliation and healing being the focus of the prayer services, Roger was awarded the UNESCO prize for peace education in 1988

Greatly influenced by his visit to Taizé, the late Rev. Alan Scheible, O. Praem., former director of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality, brought Taizé prayer to the Abbey during the late 1990s in an effort to promote the ecumenism through the center and offer a simple, peace-filled way of worship.

According to Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., the program began tentatively but has expanded throughout the years. The reflective chanting, the singing of the prayers and the opportunity to spend time in a holy space are all benefits of Taizé prayer, he said. "It's just another way to pray. It's a great way to bring a Sunday to a close and get ready for the week."

For the abbot, Taizé prayer is a communal way to share one's faith; it is spiritual, contemplative and brings people together for an hour to share in God's presence.

"It's just a fantastic setting," he said. "It's nice to be praying with other individuals."

So that everyone can participate, the Taizé prayer model uses short, simple verses and melodies that are repeated. It also includes Scripture and intercessory prayer. Additionally, each season brings a new dimension to the Taizé service. In winter, the candles become the main source of light, while in summer, the sun shines through the Great West Window, flooding the church with colors from the stained glass.

Mike Dockry, former president of the Norbertine Associates, attends the service not only to pray for personal things, but also to pray for people who are being affected by war and poverty throughout the world. "You come away from this experience feeling tremendously uplifted," he says.

Ellen Mommaerts, director of the Norbertine Volunteer Community, said the benefits of this type of prayer can be different with each visit. It could be a sense of peace, at another time healing or a call to reach out to neighbors in some form of service. "I am stretched in my faith and strengthened in my relationship with God and others," Mommaerts said.

"It's just an hour of peace and feeling connected to something beyond myself," said attendee Carrie Arnold. "My gratitude to the St. Norbert community who welcome all of us into that beautiful space. The music is incredible and I'm just so grateful that they have chosen to include Taizé in their communal sense of spirituality."

Faye Howell, another dedicated devotee who drives nearly one hour to attend, says she loves Taizé prayer. "It's very beautiful for me. Sometimes I just close my eyes and listen to people. We're all one with God."

Katrina Marshall is assistant communications coordinator at St. Norbert Abbey.