Taize, France, Aug 14, 2010 / 01:55 am
The Taize community in central France will mark two important anniversaries on Saturday with a prayerful celebration. Five years after their founder's murder, the community works to carry out his vision of reaching out to those seeking to live every day as "a day for God."
Taize community's spokesman, Brother David, told CNA that 5,000 people will be with them for Saturday's celebration of the double anniversary of Br. Roger Schutz' death in 2005 and the 70th year of the community he founded.
Four thousand young people have been there since last Sunday, spending their days taking part in community activities, reflecting on bible verses, praying in a large group three times daily and also completing practical tasks to keep the place running. This is the normal routine for visitors, who come for a week at a time.
Br. David said that while July and August are their busiest months, they host visitors from all Christian backgrounds every week of the year except for the week after Christmas, when they host a celebration in a major city. "For us," he said, "it's kind of a mystery that they come week after week." But, he noted, by word-of-mouth, experiences get passed on and people keep showing up, many to return.