Something deeper

The "Pilgrimage of Faith on Earth" (Rome, December 28 2012- January 2 2013) closed with a prayer and with the final meditation of the prior, frère Alois. "Some of our brothers with one hundred youths from across Europe will extend the destination of our pilgrimage to Istanbul. Once there, we will jointly celebrate Epiphany with the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew and the various Churches in the city", the prior said. Frère Alois addressed the question of "how to continue living at home all that we have experienced in Rome". "Faith in God – he said – can reawaken that inner force. Faith is much more than a mere feeling. Faith in God can be the result of a conscious decision. In order to bring it to fruition, it is necessary to be fully involved in the quest for a personal relationship with God, as we would do with a friendship. We can progress in this direction by looking at Christ". Simona Mengascini interviewed for SIR Europe frère John, member of the Taizé community and one of the event’s organizers, who drew a final balance of the event. What has differed in this European youth meeting compared to the previous ones? "As compared to the past, we didn’t convene in just one part of the city. In Rome, the youths experienced a pilgrimage across the whole city and its numerous churches. Moreover, not everyone’s accommodation arrangements were comfortable, also owing to the large number of young people attending the event. Nonetheless, in the meetings with the youths, I could perceive their deep joy, which is unrelated to a superficial enthusiasm. In fact, it can be best described as authentic happiness. We feel that a step forward has been made in the creation of mutual understading among the faithful, among mankind, based on the faith in God".Did the fact of holding the prayers in seven different churches, some of which marvelous basilicas, expose the youth to the risk of dispersion? "The fact of being all together in St. Peter’s Square for the prayer with the Pope, on December 29, provided a strong sense of visible and perceivable unity. Indeed, the youths were scattered in distant areas of the city, which was not as frequent in past events, when the all youths convened for prayers in the same site".Next year the European meeting is scheduled to take place in Strasbourg. What’s the reason for this decision? "After Rome, a symbol and a focal point of Christianity, we believe that Strasbourg is also a symbol, as it plays an important role in the building of Europe and is perceived as such by all those who are familiar with historical developments. As a bordering city, it was the object of contention between Germany and France. Yet it is another significant place exemplifying the will of reconciliation".Why do so many young people decide to pass their new year’s eve in such a "different" way? "Many young people seek a deeper meaning to their lives, and this is a different and alternative way to experience New Year’s Eve. Alongside with this there is also a celebrative atmosphere: after the prayers recited the evening of the 31st held in city parishes, the youths joined the Feast of the Peoples with dances, songs and joyful celebrations shared with young people from distant world countries. Thus their time of enjoyment was set against the background of reflection and prayer, which probably shows that the youth are much deeper persons than we assume". How is the Year of the Faith related to the engagement of the Taizé community?"The commitments are perfectly interconnected. Last year frère Alois wrote a Letter on the paths of the new solidarity providing three themes for each year as a preparation for the meeting that will be held in August 2015 (on the occasion of the 75th anniversary since the Taizé community was set up, marking also the 100th anniversary since the birth of frère Roger) on the wake of the new solidarity. This year’s theme is "Discovering the sources of faith in God’, i.e. of faith. Our reflections with the youths coming to Taizé during the year will focus on this theme". What does the 50th anniversary of the Council mean to the Community? "The Council was fundamental for the Taizé community. Notably, the meeting of frère Roger with Pope John XXIII was a major breakthrough for our community. Frère Roger was an ‘observer’ during the entire Council. We place utmost importance in the understanding of a Church that yearns to be a place of communion for everyone, seeking to communicate faith with contemporary language. Today we continue along this line".For many years you have been engaged in the path of reconciliation. What’s the present situation? "A lot has been done. May it suffice to consider that prayers with the Holy Father in St. Peter’s took place together with young Orthodox, Protestants and Catholics, without problems. I think this is in itself a sign of great openness to the various confessions. Indeed, the path of ecumenical reconciliation has been marked by delays, perhaps the road is different from the one we had imagined immediately after the Council, marked by great enthusiasm. We have also discovered problems, which also brought about a certain degree of sound realism, thus our engagement continues to progress. The Taizé community wishes to continue acting as a banner of reconciliation, primarily among Christians, with the goal of becoming a sign of peace and faith in the world".