Youth Committee Set Up To Prepare For Taize Leader's Visit

Posted: 25th November 2007

Taize Prayer at Catholic Church Student Center 2006

PHNOM PENH (UCAN) -- The Catholic Church in Phnom Penh has set up a committee comprising mostly young people to prepare for the Nov. 29 visit of Brother Alois Leser, leader of the ecumenical Taize community.

"The visit of Brother Alois is really meaningful for the Church in Cambodia, a sign that it is part of the universal Church," says Sok Pong Sa Metrey, 25, a member of the committee. It was set up on Oct. 31.

The young Catholic, who visited the brothers in Taize, France, in 2003, told UCA News that Brother Alois' visit here, part of his current Asian tour, would help young Cambodian Christians appreciate Taize-style prayer more deeply.

Taize prayer sessions typically include repetitive singing or chanting of simple songs, meditation and reflection on Gospel passages around the cross. Lighting is usually kept low, often with candles.

Paola Maiocchi, who heads the preparation committee, told UCA News its main tasks are to organize a meeting between Brother Alois and Cambodian youths, and to prepare for a prayer session on the evening of Nov. 29 at St. Joseph Church in Phnom Penh.

Maiocchi, an Italian lay missioner, said most of the eight committee members are young Catholics who have stayed in Taize for a few months. She clarified that the committee will organize Brother Alois' visit in Phnom Penh apostolic vicariate only.

While in Cambodia, Brother Alois is also scheduled to meet young people in Kompong Thom, Battambang apostolic prefecture, on Nov. 27 and in Kompong Cham, the base of Kompong Cham apostolic prefecture, on the following day. On Nov. 29, he is scheduled to hold a workshop at 3 p.m. in Phnom Penh before leading the Taize-style prayer session at 6 p.m.

Maiocchi said her committee has invited young people from all parishes of the vicariate and also young people from other Christian communities in the capital for the events here. As of Nov. 20, she noted, 160 young people had registered. A team is practicing Taize songs in Khmer and English, she continued, calling it an honor for the tiny Church in Cambodia to welcome Brother Alois.

In the mid-1990s, Thai missioner Father Werachai Sri Pramong, Belgian Taize Brother Ghislain and some Cambodian Catholic youths introduced Taize-style prayer here. Since then Brother Ghislain has visited Cambodia regularly, and about 20 Cambodian lay leaders have been to Taize to experience the community's lifestyle there.

These Cambodians now lead Taize-style prayers in their own communities throughout the country. These prayers are held for certain liturgical seasons such as Lent, Easter and Advent, and on certain occasions such as Church leaders' and Church youth meetings. Some parishes hold Taize-style prayers every Saturday evening, according to Father Werachai.

Some Taize songs have been translated into Khmer. In early July this year, the Catholic Social Communications ministry recorded a CD album of Taize songs in Khmer for use in functions and prayers, with permission from the Taize community in France.

Phan Borey, 28, a major seminarian in Phnom Penh, told UCA News Taize-style prayer is "very good," relaxing and helps develop one's spirituality.

The late Brother Roger Schutz founded the Taize community in the 1940s in Taize, a village in eastern France, to work and pray for world peace. The Taize community today has about 100 members from diverse Christian traditions including Catholicism and about 30 countries. The brothers work for a living and do not accept donations.

Brother Alois' Asian tour began in Bangkok, after which he went to Hong Kong and Seoul. He is scheduled to be in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 23-25 before coming to Cambodia, the last stop on his itinerary.

Article Source: UCAN