The Story of Taize:

Taize is a small village in western France about 50 miles from Geneva, Switzerland

Brother Roger, a Protestant, founded a small monastery in the village in 1940 following the defeat of France by the Nazis. He wanted to create a refuge for people who were devastated by the Nazi invasion. He also wanted to create an environment where people of different faiths and views to come together to find ways to honor their differences and to find reconciliation and unity where that was possible. It is one of the few monasteries in the world where Protestant and Catholic men live and pray together as monks. Taize is a site of pilgrimage where over 100,000 young people per year, both Christian and non-Christian, come as pilgrims for singing, silence, and devotion.

Tragically Brother Roger was killed in 2005 at age 90 by a mentally ill person who stabbed him on the altar during a service.

Taize Worcester is a 10 year old tradition. The singing is very simple, pure and beautiful. Everyone who comes is given a song book and is welcome to sing along. We are grateful to be the stewards of this tradition here in Central MA and for the chance to honor the life, mission, and sacrifice of Brother Roger and share the beauty of this wonderful tradition.