Finding God in the Silence: A Pilgrimage to Taizé
Cesar Velez (back left) with fellow pilgrims in Taizé, France
Last month, I had the opportunity to join other young adults from across the conference on a pilgrimage to Taizé, France. I had heard about this community before from friends and colleagues who had visited, but nothing could have prepared me for the experience I had. What originally felt like an opportunity to take a spiritual retreat in France quickly became one of the most transformative experiences of my faith journey.
The community in Taizé was founded by Brother Roger Schutz during World War II as a place to welcome refugees, and it quickly grew into the ecumenical brotherhood it is known as today. In addition to being a place where brothers and visitors from many faith traditions and denominations gather, Taizé is known for its unique style of worship. We gathered three times a day to chant and spend intentional time in silence with God. We listened to Scripture read in different languages, but beyond that, very little was spoken.
By dedicating time simply to singing praises and seeking God's voice in the silence, we allowed God to do the work that was needed in each of us in that moment. In that stillness, the quiet voice of Christ became loud and clear. That voice brought an overwhelming sense of peace, release, and freedom unlike anything I had experienced before. That is where the transformation happened. The simplicity of silence allowed me to reconnect with God on a deeper level, anchoring me in God as the source of all the goodness I receive and pour out into the world.
My time at Taizé reminded me of the importance of stillness in a world that constantly asks us to go, go, go. It reminded me that my inherent value doesn't come from the product of my labor or the quality of my work. It comes from the deep love and peace of our Creator. Now that I am back in the U.S., I am left with the question: What does it look like to bring that stillness into my daily life? Some days it looks like spending an hour chanting songs from my Taizé booklet. Other days it looks like sneaking away for a few quiet moments in the middle of a busy day. One thing is certain, though: God's will for my life becomes clearer every time I choose to pursue that stillness.
My week at Taizé showed me firsthand the vision God has for us. It is a vision for something different and countercultural. It is a vision for lives that position rest, peace, and stillness not as rewards earned after a long week of relentless work, but as necessary practices that nourish our relationship with God, our souls, and the very people God created us to be.
If anyone in our conference is contemplating a journey to Taizé, I could not recommend it more.
Cesar Vélez is a Conference Young Adult and Youth Director, First UMC Colleyville