Seven thousand young people are expected for the All Saints festivities – October 26 -November 7 – in the Ecumenical International Community of Taizé, founded by Father Roger in 1940 in the Southern region of Borgogne, France. The news was released today by the brothers living in the community. Registration to date amount to seven thousand people due to arrive 5,700 of whom are French from all over the country. The most numerous – 1100 registered – is the group coming from Lille, led by the auxiliary bishop mons. Delannoy. The Taizè community consists of approximately one-hundred brothers, Catholic and of different Protestant denominations, from over 25 nations. “Receiving people has always been an essential part of the life in Taizè”, Frère Emile told Sir. Since the end of the 1950s, several thousands of young people from different nations started going to Taizè to take part in the one-week meetings for prayer and reflection or for longer periods during the summer. “For many French people coming to Taizè in October and for the All Saints day has almost become a tradition”, Father Emile explained. “However, the number of registered faithful was never as high as this year’s”. The communal prayer, three times a day, is the very heart of the daily life in Taizè. The same will be during these festive days”, he added. Father Emile is presently in Geneva with ten Brothers to prepare the European Youth meeting which this year will be held in Swizerland.
