A Community Called Taizé: A Story of Prayer, Worship and Reconciliation [Paperback]

Jason Brian Santos (Author), Desmond Tutu (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2008

--the word is strangely familiar to many throughout the contemporary church. Familiar, perhaps, because the chanted prayers of Taiz are well practiced in churches throughout the world. Strangely, however, because so little is known about Taiz--from its historic beginnings to how the word itself is pronounced.

The worship of the Taiz community, as it turns out, is best understood in the context of its greater mission. On the day Jason Brian Santos arrived in the Taiz community its leader was brutally murdered before his eyes. Instead of making Santos want to leave, the way the community handled this tragedy made him long to stay and learn more about this group of people who could respond to such evil with grace and love.

In this book he takes us on a tour of one of the world's first ecumenical monastic orders, from its monastic origins in the war-torn south of 1940s France to its emerging mission as a pilgrimage site and spiritual focal point for millions of young people throughout the world. In you'll meet the brothers of the order and the countless visitors and volunteers who have taken upon themselves a modest mission: pronouncing peace and reconciliation to the church and the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. When he first visited the Taizé ecumenical community in France's Burgundy region, author Santos, now a doctoral candidate at Princeton University, had no plans to write a book. By his second trip, however, the idea for one had taken root. Geared to an English-speaking, North American audience and said to be a first-of-its-kind account, this lovely and instructive book mingles the community's history with descriptions of day-to-day life and practical information about making a pilgrimage to Taizé. Although many American Christians are familiar with Taizé's chants, few may know the details Santos imparts. Most compelling among them is the author's witnessing Taizé founder Brother Roger's violent death in 2005 at the hands of a disturbed woman during evening prayers. Santos insists that this did not lead him to write the book, but it provides a remarkable context for writing about the community that has attracted so many with its message of reconciliation, trust and freedom. Besides Santos's careful research, readers will appreciate his thoughtful ideas about how to take Taizé's spirit beyond the community. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Lovely and instructive. . . . Besides Santos's careful research, readers will appreciate his thoughtful ideas about how to take Taizé's spirit beyond the community." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"If a virtual reality tour can be conducted through words Jason Brian Santos has done it in this book, giving the reader a sense that she has now visited Taizé and is eager to go again--but this time in the flesh. Along the way, Jason helps us to understand why this movement of reconciliation has attracted thousands of young people all over the world and encourages us to learn from the brothers ways in which this same spirit can infect Christians from all branches of the splintered church." (Dennis Okholm, professor of theology, Azusa Pacific University)

"A Community Called Taizé is a jewel of a book, like Taizé itself--simple, reverent and surprisingly comprehensive. With effortless prose, Jason Santos makes us feel like we are there, taking part in the community’s monastic rhythms, singing the prayers, meeting the brothers (and some women too). Santos has thought of everything, from local customs to packing lists--but don't miss the last part of the book, which suggests what churches can learn from the community’s theology, practices and prayers. If you are visiting Taizé--or if you simply wonder why an ecumenical community of brothers attracts more than 100,000 young people every year without a single ice-breaker--you simply must read this book. It will set the standard for our understanding of Taizé for years to come." (Kenda Creasy Dean, Author, Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church)

"Jason Brian Santos has caught the essence of the Taizé community through his scholarly, perceptive and spiritual presentation. In an amazing style, this book provides a real taste of Taizé for the benefit of those who have not yet undertaken a pilgrimage there. Santos provides insightful, practical and powerful tools for everyone who would like to undertake a pilgrimage to Taizé. Through his own experiences and his scholarly articulation, he helps others serve themselves to the richness of Christian spirituality and spirit of ecumenism that permeate the world through the hills of Burgundy that nestle the community of Taizé." (Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, resident bishop, New Jersey area, The United Methodist Church)

"In A Community Called Taizé Jason Santos shares with us, in extensive detail and with personal involvement, his experience as a visitor to our hill in Burgundy. His hope--and ours as well--is that it may allow North Americans to see that, beyond the repetitive chanting and a particular style of meditative prayer, Taizé is an ecumenical monastic community that wishes, through worship and community life, to help young adults discover Jesus Christ as a source of reconciliation for divided Christians and as a promise of peace in the human family." (Brother John, Taizé)

"Having been to Taizé several times, I know what a spellbinding place it is. I also know how extremely difficult it would be to capture the beauty and mystery of the place and its people with words on a page. That's why Jason Santos's achievement is so noteworthy. What he has done with A Community Called Taizé is to write both a primer on that wonderful community and a pilgrim's love story. I highly commend this book to those who've been to Taizé, those who wish to go and even those who've sung a Taizé chant in worship. All will be blessed by this book." (Tony Jones, author of The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life and The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier)

"Jason Brian Santos's introduction quite literally took my breath away. Wow! Santos's description of the rhythms, values, philosophy and theology of the Taizé community should be read by anyone longing to cultivate an authentic Christian community." (Mike King, president of YouthFront, pastor of Jacob's Well Church, Kansas City, and author of Presence-Centered Youth Ministry)

"A very helpful guide to Taizé for thoughtful seekers, especially young people. Animated by the warm and respectful spirit of a fellow traveler, this practical and appreciative introduction can serve as a very good starting point for someone who desires to learn more about the popular Taizé songs and place them in their context, or someone thinking of visiting this unique community." (Elsie McKee, Archibald Alexander Professor of Reformation Studies and the History of Worship, Princeton Theological Seminary)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (October 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830835253
• ISBN-13: 978-0830835256
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Monasticism

More About the Author

Jason Brian Santos is a doctoral candidate (Ph.D.) and a Teaching Fellow in Practical Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary where he was named a Timothy Scholar for research in youth, church and culture. He also holds a Masters of Arts in systematic theology from Wheaton College Graduate School and a Masters of Divinity from Princeton. His research focuses on the spiritual education, formation and discipleship of youth and young adults. Specifically, his dissertation research deals with the integration of monastic practices into congregational life through an adaptation of Benedictine oblation, with the aim of fostering a communal Christian identity and spiritual solidarity in both young people and the local congregation. He is the author of A Community Called Taizé: A Story of Prayer, Worship and Reconciliation (InterVarsity Press, 2008, forward by Archbishop Desmond Tutu). He speaks both in the US and internationally on topics ranging from youth ministry and popular culture to contemplative spirituality and alternative worship. He currently resides in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife, Shannon, his nine-year-old son, Judah and two exotic hybrid cats.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air October 25, 2008

By J. Pazan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A Community Called Taizé is a great resource for any person interested in Taizé or wanting to use the work of Taizé in his or her own congregation. I found the review, of a day in Taizé, to be very insightful to my understanding of not only a day in the community but what the community of Taizé is all about. I am looking forward to sharing this book with anyone interested in Taizé, worship renewal, reconciliation, and ministry in the world today. Santos' thoughts on how the community of Taize's ethos is applicable to the North American Church is needed as we approach ministry in a world of constant change. It was a breath of fresh air, which came at a time most needed. I can't wait to plan my first trip to Taizé.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More than the prayers... October 15, 2008

By Rad Rev

Format:Paperback

Someday I would like to go Taize but, as of yet, I have not had the time - or money. This is why I am so thankful to Santos for taking me there through the book. He offers the reader a "day in Taize" and a philosophy of ministry that guides the community's life of prayer. Of particular value is the detailed history of the community - including the eyewitness account of its founders' death - and the community's response. This is a "must-have" resource for anyone considering offering Taize prayers with their church or organization, planning a trip to the community, or planning ecumenical ministry events.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Taize May 19, 2009

By Mark A. Sterling

Format:Paperback

A community called Taize is a wonderful book that gives a perfect detailed description of the experience and background of the community. The book brought back so many memories as if i had actually been there as many times as the author. I was fortunate to be able to spend a week in Taize ,but if i could have read this book before my trip it would have made the trip and experiences that much better. Jason gives a detailed travel plan along with a list of items that would have been beneficial to know before i planned my trip. I will definitely take his advice on my next trip back. Anyone who seeks the memories or plans on visiting Taize, this book is a must.