What is Taizé? 
In a small village in the Burgundy region of eastern France, Taizé is home to an ecumenical Christian community founded during World War II by a Swiss-born theologian, Roger Schutz, 'Brother Roger.' which welcomed refugees from the war.  His vision saw Christians expressing the realities of the gospel (reconciliation, trust, joy, love, mercy, etc.) visibly in their lives beyond spoken words.  Taizé prayer includes time for meditation, candlelight, contemplative silence, prayers of praise and intercession, scripture, and repetitive chants and songs which are simple and serene, many of which are now part of the repertoire of many Christian denominations world-wide.

¿Qué es Taizé?
En un pequeño pueblo de la región de Borgoña, en el este de Francia, Taizé es el hogar de una comunidad cristiana ecuménica fundada durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial por un teólogo de origen suizo, Roger Schutz, "el hermano Roger", que acogió a refugiados de la guerra. Su visión consistía en que los cristianos expresaran las realidades del Evangelio (reconciliación, confianza, alegría, amor, misericordia, etc.) de forma visible en sus vidas, más allá de las palabras. La oración de Taizé incluye tiempo para la meditación, la luz de las velas, el silencio contemplativo, oraciones de alabanza e intercesión, escrituras y cantos repetitivos, sencillos y serenos, muchos de los cuales forman parte ahora del repertorio de muchas confesiones cristianas en todo el mundo.

“Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching; and again unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou be overcome with sleep, lest thou be given up to death, and be shut out from the Kingdom. But rouse thyself and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God, through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.”
          - Troparion of the Bridegroom Service

SCHEDULE: ​Part 1: Spiritual Conference with Fr. Thomas Loya 9-10:30 AM in the St. Gregory the Great church (5545 N. Paulina) -Fr. Loya will offer reflections on the spirituality and theology of the use of sacred images in prayer and liturgy, focusing on how Christ the Bridegroom can aid us in our Lenten journey. ​ Part 2: Icon Workshop with Artist-in-Residence Sarah Crow 11 AM - 4:30 PM (includes lunch) in the next-door parish center (3rd Floor studio) -Participants will create their own icon of Christ the Bridegroom in an environment of prayerful reflection, entering deeper into the mystery of Christ's passion. No art experience required! ​