by Fred Moleck
Semper Taiz�
What seems to be about a century ago, Bob Batastini and I visited the Taizé community in France. This visit piggybacked another event.
He and I attended a meeting of the Universa Laus (sort of a European NPM—but not, with a strong emphasis on the pastoral) in Belgium at the Dominican Sisters monastery near Waterloo.
For the more ancient of the readers, you might remember that this is the house that was the home of the nun who made her community a lot of money with her recording of “Dominique, nique, nique,” etc.
The details of our sojourn in that house would need at least three TableTalks to tell the whole story—for example, the bowl and pitcher in each of our rooms, which would be used for our toilettes. Also, a sign in French warning us not to drink the water. But, as the TV anchorperson says, “More on that at 11:00.”
The Taizé visit also lacked toilette facilities that American travelers take as normal. But, we went to Taizé not to bathe, but to meet with their music leader. The visit was rewarding on many levels.
The sung prayer at the services was stunning. Old and young, people of color and Caucasians, ordained and non-ordained persons prayed and sang together—a hint of what the Banquet of the Lamb would be like.
What has sparked my Taizé rush is a GIA CD of Taizé music conducted by GIA on-the-road man David Anderson, entitled In the Spirit of Taizé (CD-612). As his preface states, all the recordings have been done in France save one. This recording is the second one.
The worship site is Ascension Church, a mid-size parish church in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The service of Taizé is scheduled on the first Friday of every month. Attendance hovers around eight hundred every month.
Eight hundred! Once again, quiet prayer, quiet and exuberant singing, quiet worship continues to attract a not-so-quiet population group—these folks sing. Those attending span a broad ecumenical population sector whose origins range from the neighborhood of Ascension Church of Oak Park to pilgrim types from other parts of the United States.
Its leader is David Anderson, music director of the parish. In the liner notes to this CD, he writes:
Members of liturgical churches and Evangelical believers, Methodist bishops and Maryknoll missionaries, Catholic priests, and ordained women pastors all sit side by side. Together they raise their voices in song, and as one worshiping body, they lift their hearts in reverent silence. Their differences are left outside. At Ascension’s monthly prayer in the spirit of Taizé, praising God is all that matters.How like Taizé.
Thousands of Americans have experienced Taizé prayer at the NPM conventions. They, too, are filled to capacity.
In this turbulent time in the history of our Church and of the social climate of the United States, I am surprised more parish churches are not opening their doors to a regularly scheduled celebration such as this gem of Taizé prayer.
We are daily buffeted by learning about yet another sexual scandal in an American diocese. The daily news report announces yet one more suicide bombing in Iraq. No one escapes the assault of bad news.
Taizé music and prayer can comfort. Taizé music and prayer can offer some hope . . . at least for an hour or so. For that, we can be grateful.
In the Lord, I'll be ever grateful,
In the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God, do not be afraid;
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.
You can reach Fred Moleck via email at fmoleck@earthlink.net