Kilkenny applications are open for an 'experience of a lifetime' opportunity

Early on a Sunday morning in late June, 25 young people in Transition Year and fifth year from throughout the Diocese of Ossory, accompanied by four leaders comprising staff and volunteers from Ossory Youth, set out from Kilkenny on a long journey to Taizé.

At the same time, in common with most weeks of the year, approximately 1,000 other young people from throughout Europe and other continents will also be travelling to Taizé, all about to spend the next week together.

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What drew them all to a small village on a hill in the depths of rural Burgundy in eastern France is the Taizé Community.

The Taizé story began in 1940 when Brother Roger Schutz, then aged 25, came to live in the small village of Taizé, 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.

Today, the Taizé Community is an ecumenical monastic order composed of about 100 brothers, from Protestant and Catholic traditions, who originate from around 30 countries across the world.

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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 church is like no other with everyone sitting on the floor and the services overflowing with music.

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’, actually having some fun queuing for food as you spend the time meeting and getting to know young people from throughout Europe, in a week of gorgeous sunshine.

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

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“No matter what you read or hear about Taizé nothing really prepares you for the experience until you go for yourself,” said one of the young people who was there with Ossory Youth this summer. “It is amazing being with up to a thousand people from so many different countries.”

This year’s group came home saying that the Taizé experience could not be described as no words 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.

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

The overall programme will run from November to June with regular group meetings and fundraising events taking place at approximately two weekly intervals. The closing date for applications is Friday, October 24.

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

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