Passing on the light

“Is it possible to believe in God in contemporary society?” The question was raised by frère Alois, prior of the community of Taizé, organizer of the “pilgrimage of trust” in Rotterdam from December 28 to January 1st, attended by 30 000 European youth, during the common prayer held December 31st. The prior pointed out that “in many world countries it has become harder to refer to God” and “many are those who seriously seek to give a meaning to their lives, but they fail to believe in a God that will love them in person”; for this he suggested that participants “communicate the hope in Christ” not only with words but with their way of living, since “this will bring to a surprising event, namely, that transmitting the message of Christ’s resurrection enables us to embrace Him ever more. Thus the mystery becomes increasingly crucial to us, to the point of transforming our own lives”. The prior also acknowledged that “joy, compassion, forgiveness”, the values addressed during the encounter, central in his “Letter from Chile”, “have been realities that were intensively experienced by many people”. And also concretely underline that “each one of us can pass on a small light”. The gathering for prayer in the Ahoy Exposition Park terminated with the lighting of thousands of candles held by the youth, brought by the children gathered around frère Alois. East and West united. Drawing a balance of the event in The Netherlands, frère Emile, a “brother” of Taizé for the past 35 years, underlined the “extraordinary cooperation that was established for the first time between the Catholic and Protestant Churches. Both Churches expressed the wish to continue working together”. The priest, of Canadian background, pointed out: “As compared to Poznan, Poland, where last year’s meeting took place, and where the presence of the Catholic Church prevailed, here the ecumenical aspect was real: for example, the Catholic and Protestant pastoral care of the youth cooperated and created a postcard of the event. Also the Catholic and Protestant TV networks, for the first time jointly produced programs that were broadcast by national television stations.” In a Country where “religion is viewed as dangerous, nearing fundamentalism – noted frère Emile – the peaceful presence of so many young Europeans has shown that faith is not a risk for security. Furthermore, in a social and cultural context marked by prevailing skepticism, it’s important to show that faith can act as the promoter of peace”. Moscow and Berlin. During the prayer of the evening of December 30 Fr. Alois announced to thousands of young people that the next European Youth meeting, scheduled from December 28 2011 to January 1st 2012, will be held in Berlin. At the same time in a joint statement the Municipality of Berlin, the Diocese of Berlin and the Protestant Churches of the region of Berlin, the Council of all the Churches of Berlin, welcomed the decision to host (for the first time in Berlin) the next destination of the Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth – 34th European Youth meeting. Recalling the presence in Rotterdam of many young people from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, Fr. Alois announced also that the brothers of Taizé and the youth from all across Europe will convene in Moscow fro the Holy Week and for Easter, in the forthcoming month of April, on the invitation of the Patriarchate of Moscow. Encouraged by other young people. Given the large crowds of youth arriving from Poland – 600,000 this year only – each year the Taizé community invites a Polish Catholic bishop: this year was present Msgr. Andrzej Czaja, priest of Opola, for whom “the young people who came here wish to renew their faith and share this experience with others. When they will be back home they will transmit the joy and serenity they experienced to other young people, and it will be possible for them to be committed in their parishes and also in the social life of their cities”. The prelate believes that the situation of ecumenical dialogue is “good” and “especially small communities, in the practice and spirit with which they live ecumenism, are truly open”. For Msgr. Czaja also the next World Youth Day in Madrid will be an occasion for encouragement, especially for the Spanish youth “who are witnessing a difficult situation in their home country. Being near so many young people from all over the world will help them open up to the faith and address the problems experienced by their Churches”.