Reflections from Taizé: Beth Dodd

Beth Dodd reflects on the SCM trip to Taizé this summer. Beth is a student in Cambridge and a member of SCM's General Council.

"My favourite part of the trip to Taizé was the daily prayer, which was held three times a day in the chapel of reconciliation. Sitting on the floor squashed up to the people near you so they could fit everyone in was maybe not the most comfortable experience, and the periods of silent prayer were not exactly silent – with four and a half thousand young people that would be impossible. But for someone who’s never had any set daily prayer time, let alone three times a day, the discipline was challenging but very helpful.

What struck me about these times was the friendly and communal atmosphere. With everyone facing in the same direction, including the brothers of Taizé, there was no priest at the front, no distraction, and no authority figure to make you sit quiet hands together and eyes closed. What touched me most was the sound of the bells, which rang for ten minutes at the start of prayer. The hum of the harmonics sounded like an echo of angels singing eternal glory."

More about the Taizé community here: Taizé website