Silence and Light

We have just celebrated the Eucharist and I am preparing to leave Taize to catch the bus and train to Paris for the night. The music will remain, especially since I bought two CD's, one of singing, one of music. Last night, to prepare for this morning's Mass, at the end of the evening worship was held the Vigil of Light, where everyone had candle and the church was lit with light. Their candles are dripless and go out after four minutes, like magic. One thing that will stay with me is the silence of Taize. At every service after the reading is ten minutes of silence. It is a wonderful time of prayer and reflection. It is amazing too how over 700 people, mostly young people, can be silent that long. The silence does feed the soul. (On the Taize site, you can listen to songs, see the music, hear the bells and also hear the Saturday night worship through Domradio (either live or recorded). The one I attended is recorded there. The link is Prayer & Song, then MP3 & Broadcast)