Young people from Pforzheim experience spiritual community in Taizé!

Young people from Pforzheim experience spiritual community in Taizé!

Recently around 30 young people from Pforzheim and the surrounding area set off on a special ecumenical trip to Taizé. Organized by the Protestant Youth Pforzheim in collaboration with the Catholic youth speaker Philipp Leichter, the program was all about faith and community. A highlight of the trip was the ceremonial acceptance of the new brother Manuel into the Taizé community. Manuel, who comes from the Archdiocese of Freiburg and studied there, was warmly welcomed into the ranks of the brothers.

The Taizé Community is not only a place of spirituality, but also a well-known destination for ecumenical youth meetings. Every year, around 100,000 visitors from various religious backgrounds flock to the French village, where they can experience a time of reflection and religious exchange. The community, founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz, is entirely dedicated to reconciliation between nations and denominations.

An unforgettable experience

The young people from Pforzheim returned with a feeling of spirituality and enriching conversations. Virtuoso Bible study and participation in morning, lunchtime and evening prayers helped the participants gain deep insights into questions of faith. Brother Johnny led the group through the Bible introduction, close and exciting.

The way of life in Taizé is characterized by simplicity: the visitors sleep in barracks and enjoy a simple diet. The high temperatures during their stay ensured that the water cooler was in great demand. Many participants described their experience as enriching and provided positive feedback about the warm community.

A look back at history

The History of the community dates back to the Second World War, when Brother Roger assisted people in need and helped Jews during the war. Now, more than 80 years later, the brothers live according to the rules he wrote, which emphasize lively exchange and prayer, and this tradition continues.

The brothers are not only involved in the spiritual world, but also in social projects, supporting people in need and strengthening interreligious dialogue - especially between Christians and Muslims. The community offers a place of safety and peace, where measures have been taken to ensure the safety of all visitors even after the tragic events of 2015.

The participants from Pforzheim are already looking forward to their next trip to Taizé so that they can once again immerse themselves in this inspiring community. It remains to be hoped that the positive experiences and new friendships will continue to have an impact for a long time.