Taize

Taize is the style of Christian worship practised by the ecumenical Taizé community in France, characterized by the repetitive singing of simple harmonized tunes, often in various languages, interspersed with readings, prayers, and periods of silence. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schultz, a Reformed Protestant. Guidelines for the community's life are contained in The Rule of Taizé written by Brother Roger and first published in French in 1954.

Taize is, of course, famous for its gentle and powerful worship, musically built around repetitive chants and texts. Brother Roger wrote:
Nothing is more conducive to communion with the Living God than a meditative common prayer with singing that never ends, but continues in the silence of one's heart, when one is alone again.

In the common prayer, the spirit of praise gives glimpses of the invisible.

And within you comes welling up the wonder of a love.

Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being.

These simple chants also provide a way of praying when one is alone, during the day or at night, or even in the silence of one's heart while one is working.

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Taize Chant

Taizé Chant This form of contemporary liturgical song was first developed for use by the ecumenical Christian community at Taizé, France. It uses repetitive structures that can easily be memorized, along with other parts for solo voices, choirs, and instruments. Jacques Berthier prepared the musical settings for Taizé chant.

In recent years it has gained acceptance and is used in many denominations. Latin is now used for singing Taizé Chant at Taizé because of the international nature of the community. However, settings of Taizé Chant are edited for use in other languages, including English. Wonder, Love, and Praise has a variety of hymns that use Taizé chant, such as "O Lord hear my pray'r" (Hymn 827) and "Laudate omnes gentes" (Hymn 830).

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