Taizé is a specific style of worship that allows participants to slow down and focus on God. Often used in Catholic worship, this simple prayer method is useful not only for those who are new to the faith but also for those who are looking for a way to return to the basics of their spiritual journey. Whether practiced in a group or alone, its repetitive sounds and rhythms help to create a worshipful atmosphere.

The Basics of Taizé Worship

Those who enjoy this practice find it powerful because it requires their full attention. Taizé combines three elements of worship:

• Singing
• Meditation
• Prayer

Each prayer typically starts with a repetitive musical phrase. If sung in a group, this phrase is what the congregation chants. By focusing on the musical phrase, participants are able to clear their minds and become open to what God has to say to them.

When practiced alone, the chanted musical phrase may comprise the whole prayer. Other variations include a congregational chant with additional singers layering descants or other parts on top of it for a corporate worship experience. Some communities also walk or dance when they practice Taizé.

The Benefits of Taizé

This practice is perfect for people who tend to overthink their prayer life. Those who feel they've run out of things to say or are concerned that they are just going through the motions may find solace in these prayers. The simple, rhythmic liturgy of Taizé reminds them that conversations with God don't have to be complicated to be meaningful. 

Another benefit is that it doesn't necessarily end when the service or session is over. Participants often find themselves singing or humming the melody throughout the week, which prolongs the experience of the peace they felt during the prayer. Avid proponents of Taizé report that this phenomenon ensures that the stress relief they feel during the session extends into their everyday lives.

The Practice of Taizé

If you are practicing Taizé alone, you can easily find music online to use. Alternatively, you can make up your own simple musical chant and incorporate it into your meditation practice. If you want to host a Taizé service at your place of worship, however, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to help it go smoothly.

Prepare the Music

First, decide whether you are going to have live or recorded music. If you want live music, you must find musicians who understand how Taizé is supposed to sound. Even if you are planning an acapella service, you should still have one or two leaders who get the chant started. Remind service leaders that moments of silence are as much a part of the prayer as the music itself so that they don't feel compelled to automatically fill it when it happens.

Prepare the Space

Taizé is a quiet, intimate form of prayer, so the space where you hold the service needs to be able to accommodate the atmosphere you want to create. For this reason, a large sanctuary is not typically the best place to hold it. The lighting should be soft; candles are often used in Taizé for this purpose. If you have access to a garden area and the weather is nice, a dawn or dusk service can be particularly lovely.

Embracing Taizé

Taizé is one of many ways you can pray, both corporately and privately. It doesn't take a lot of preparation to make it a regular part of your personal spiritual practice, and it can be a breath of fresh air for members of your congregation, no matter how far along they are on their spiritual journeys.