Ossory Youth in Kilkenny to set up group for Taizé pilgrimage

Applications are now open to join on the annual pilgrimage trip for young people to Taizé in France with Ossory Youth next June.

Approximately 25 youngsters from Transition Year to Leaving Cert from the Diocese of Ossory will be accompanied by leaders comprising staff and volunteers. They will be joined by around 1000 other young people from Europe, and some from other continents, were also travelling to Taizé, and all about to spend the next week together.

Spreading the gift of reading at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny

The Taizé story began in 1940 when Brother Roger Schutz, then aged 25, came to live in the small village of Taizé in rural Burgundy in eastern France, a village that was almost empty due to the Second World War raging throughout Europe. He began to quietly welcome refugees fleeing the war and by 1944 was joined by three other brothers. During the following years, a few other young men joined, and at Easter 1949, seven of them made a commitment to live a community life.

Community

Today, the Taizé community is an ecumenical monastic order composed of about one hundred brothers, from Protestant and Catholic traditions, who originate from around 30 countries across the world.

The eight days spent there follow a similar pattern, three times a day everything stops, the iconic Taizé bells ring, and the thousands of young people gather in the church for prayer, bible texts read in several languages, a period of silent reflection and all adorned by the famous Taizé chants. The rest of the day consists of taking part in smaller groups such as bible reflection, choir practice, assisting with serving meals, cleaning duties, having time for some reflection in the ‘silent garden’ and meeting and getting to know young people from throughout Europe.

Positive feedback

The feedback from previous groups has been hugely positive with clear agreement that everyone would get something unique to them from Taizé.

This year’s group came home saying that the Taizé experience was indescribable as no words adequately captured the essence of the place. The conclusion was that it had been a never to be forgotten experience and they have now joined the ranks of over 100,000 young people from around the world who make a pilgrimage to Taizé each year.

Ossory Youth

The ‘Journey to Taizé’ programme is organised by Ossory Youth and supported by the Diocese of Ossory.

The programme will run from November to next June with regular group meetings and fundraising events taking place every fortnight. The closing date for applications is Friday, October 27.

For information, including costs, contact Patrick Bookle, Ossory Youth at (056) 7761200, (087) 2129006 or email pbookle@ossoryyouth.com