GREENSBORO — St. Pius X parishioners recently held a Lenten evening Taizé service of contemplative music, meditation, scripture and prayer.
More than 200 people gathered by candlelight to sing the simple, repetitive Taizé chants, invoking a sense of peace and harmony.
“It starts with a single voice until the whole church fills with all these voices streaming in,” said organizer Francine Britto, director of music and liturgy at the parish. “It is just a beautiful way to bring people together.”
Taizé is a globally recognized ecumenical movement of reconciliation that started after World War II in Taizé, France, by Brother Roger Schütz, a Protestant. Taizé Prayer is a Christian evening prayer that was recognized by then-Pope John Paul II.
The service occurs twice a year at St. Pius X Church, during the “quiet times” of Lent and Advent.
Britto approached the late Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio with the idea of starting a Taizé service and has loved the moments of quiet prayer set to music ever since.
— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by MaryAnn Luedtke
