• Home
  • About
    • Location and Hours
      • Location
        • Facilities Map
      • Parish Office Hours
      • Mass Schedule
      • Confession Schedule
      • Adoration Schedule
    • Our Parish Story
      • History of SVdP
      • Our Patron Saint
    • Our Clergy
      • Our Priests and Deacons
        • Homilies
          • Msgr. Bill
          • Fr. David
      • Msgr. Bill Updates
      • Msgr. Bill's Weekly Letter
      • Msgr. Bill Video Playlist
    • Parish Administration
      • Parish Staff
      • Scheduling Request Form
      • Buildings & Grounds
        • Members
      • Parish Finance Council
        • Members
        • Annual Report
      • Parish Pastoral Council
        • Members
    • Join our Parish
      • New Parishioner Registration Form
      • Current Parishioner Update
      • Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
    • Communications
      • Communication Opportunities
      • Bulletin
        • Advertising
      • Parish App
      • Social Media
        • YouTube
        • Facebook
        • SvdP Youth Instagram
    • Tour of the Parish
      • The Church
        • Our Church Tells a Story
        • Facilities Map
      • Msgr. Jamail Center
        • Facilities Map
      • Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
        • Facilities Map
      • SVdP Parish School
        • School Website
    • Archdiocesan-Victim's Assistance
      • Victim's Assistance
      • Clergy Disclosure List
  • Education
    • Faith Formation
      • Faith Formation Staff
      • COVID-19 Protocols
      • Want to Volunteer?
      • Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
      • Youth Ministry
      • Young Adult Ministry
      • Quick Links
        • Archdiocese Online Masses
        • Catholic Answers
        • Catholic Exchange
        • Catholic Icing
        • Dynamic Catholic
        • EWTN
        • FORMED
        • Liturgy of the Hours
        • Movie Reviews
        • Saint of the Day
        • The Catholic Encyclopedia
        • U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
        • Vatican
        • Zenit
    • PK3-5th grade
      • PK3-5th Under Thy Roof
      • Lecture Series
      • Registered Participants
    • Junior & Senior High
      • Middle School (EDGE)
        • What is EDGE?
        • Core Team
        • EDGE Events
      • High School (Life Teen)
        • What is Life Teen
        • Core Team
        • F.A.Q. & Registration
        • Peer Teen Leaders
        • Life Teen Events
    • SVdP Parish School
      • About
      • School Website
    • Young Adults
      • Young Adults
    • Adults
      • Adult Formation
        • Confirmation
      • ACTS Retreat
        • History of ACTS
        • ACTS Q&A
      • Bible Studies
      • That Man Is You
    • Enhanced Learning
      • Supplemental Information
        • Baptism
        • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
        • Valuable Materials & Documents
  • Sacraments & Worship
    • Sacraments
      • Information regarding Sacramental Preparation
      • Baptism
        • Information-7 & Under
        • Information-Adults
        • Baptism Schedule (English)
        • Baptism Certificate
      • Reconciliation
      • Holy Communion
        • First Holy Communion FAQs
      • Confirmation
        • Adult Confirmation
        • Teen Confirmation
          • Year 1 Genesis
          • Year 2 Revelation
      • Matrimony
        • Marriage Preparation
        • Convalidation
        • Marriage Encounter
        • Annulment
      • Ordination/Consecrated Life
        • Holy Orders
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Worship
      • Adoration
        • How to register
      • Confession
        • A Guide to Confession
      • Mass Schedule
        • Holy Days
      • Devotions & Novenas
        • Consecration of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
        • Divine Mercy
          • How To Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
        • The Rosary
          • How To Pray The Rosary
          • Prayers of The Rosary
        • Novenas
          • St. Vincent de Paul Novena
          • St. Jude Novena
          • St. Jude League Membership
        • Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer
      • Prayer Requests
    • Liturgical Ministries
      • Altar Linen Ministry
      • Altar Servers
      • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
      • Sacristans & Acolytes
      • Music Ministry
        • The Studio Page - What is Choral sound?
        • Taizé in France - the history and the music
        • Wedding Music
        • Choir Members (Music Link)
      • Proclaimers of the Word
      • Ushers
  • Parish Life
    • Parish Life Staff
      • Parish Life Staff
    • Ministries
      • Divine Will Prayer Cenacle
      • Funeral Ministry
        • Funeral Planning
        • Compassion Ministry
        • Opening Doors
      • Ministry of Care (Homebound)
      • Men's Ministry
        • That Man Is You
      • Pro-Life
        • Sanctity of Human Life Group
        • Gabriel Project
      • Spiritual Direction
      • Vocations Ministry
        • Vocations Successes
        • For Parents
          • Six Myths
          • Videos - Parents
        • Is God Calling?
          • Videos - Priesthood
          • Videos - Brotherhood
          • Videos - Sisterhood
          • Resources
        • Resources
        • Vocations Terms
        • National Vocations Awareness
      • Women's Ministry
        • Walking With Purpose
        • St. Anne's Society
    • Adult Enrichment
      • Parish Library
    • Upcoming Events
      • Upcoming Events
        • Ordination of Burt Martin
        • The Sacraments
        • Psalms
        • Walking With Purpose
        • Links to Faith Formation Fall Programs
        • Adult Events
        • Youth Events
    • Outreach
      • Prayer Requests
      • Blood Drive
    • En Español
      • Jóvenes de la Luz
      • Bautismo
      • Misa de Sanación
    • Community Groups
      • Christian Community Service Center
        • Emergency Services
        • Employment
          • Employment Services
          • JobNet
          • Martha's Way
      • Guayaquil Mission
        • Donations
        • Volunteer
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Scouts
        • Join Cub Scouts Pack 505
        • Cub Scout Pack 505
        • SVdP Troop 505
        • Girl Scouts
      • Legion of Mary
      • Society of St. Vincent de Paul
        • Announcements
        • Financial Planning & Coaching
        • Food Banks
          • Fresh Food Locations
        • Housing (Rooms to Rent)
        • Immigration Resource
        • Job Resources
        • Legal Aid Resources
        • Medical & Dental Clinics
          • Medical Housing for Blood Center Patients
        • Rent & Utility Assistance
        • Shelter for the Homeless
        • TANF; SNAP; TX Healthcare
        • Prayers for the Poor
        • Videos
        • Vincentian Stories
        • Volunteer/Contact Us
  • Giving
    • Ways to Give
      • Give Now
      • Giving Descriptions
    • Additional Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • Gifts of Stock
      • Light a Candle
    • Campaigns
      • Building Bright Futures
        • BBF Video
      • Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
|||
St. Vincent de Paul
Phone Email Facebook YouTube
Search
  • Home
  • About
    • Location and Hours
      • Location
      • Parish Office Hours
      • Mass Schedule
      • Confession Schedule
      • Adoration Schedule
    • Our Parish Story
      • History of SVdP
      • Our Patron Saint
    • Our Clergy
      • Our Priests and Deacons
      • Msgr. Bill Updates
      • Msgr. Bill's Weekly Letter
      • Msgr. Bill Video Playlist
    • Parish Administration
      • Parish Staff
      • Scheduling Request Form
      • Buildings & Grounds
      • Parish Finance Council
      • Parish Pastoral Council
    • Join our Parish
      • New Parishioner Registration Form
      • Current Parishioner Update
      • Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
    • Communications
      • Communication Opportunities
      • Bulletin
      • Parish App
      • Social Media
    • Tour of the Parish
      • The Church
      • Msgr. Jamail Center
      • Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
      • SVdP Parish School
    • Archdiocesan-Victim's Assistance
      • Victim's Assistance
      • Clergy Disclosure List
  • Education
    • Faith Formation
      • Faith Formation Staff
      • COVID-19 Protocols
      • Want to Volunteer?
      • Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
      • Youth Ministry
      • Young Adult Ministry
      • Quick Links
    • PK3-5th grade
      • PK3-5th Under Thy Roof
      • Lecture Series
      • Registered Participants
    • Junior & Senior High
      • Middle School (EDGE)
      • High School (Life Teen)
    • SVdP Parish School
      • About
      • School Website
    • Young Adults
      • Young Adults
    • Adults
      • Adult Formation
      • ACTS Retreat
      • Bible Studies
      • That Man Is You
    • Enhanced Learning
      • Supplemental Information
  • Sacraments & Worship
    • Sacraments
      • Information regarding Sacramental Preparation
      • Baptism
      • Reconciliation
      • Holy Communion
      • Confirmation
      • Matrimony
      • Ordination/Consecrated Life
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Worship
      • Adoration
      • Confession
      • Mass Schedule
      • Devotions & Novenas
    • Prayer
      • Prayer Requests
    • Liturgical Ministries
      • Altar Linen Ministry
      • Altar Servers
      • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
      • Sacristans & Acolytes
      • Music Ministry
      • Proclaimers of the Word
      • Ushers
  • Parish Life
    • Parish Life Staff
      • Parish Life Staff
    • Ministries
      • Divine Will Prayer Cenacle
      • Funeral Ministry
      • Ministry of Care (Homebound)
      • Men's Ministry
      • Pro-Life
      • Spiritual Direction
      • Vocations Ministry
      • Women's Ministry
    • Adult Enrichment
      • Parish Library
    • Upcoming Events
      • Upcoming Events
    • Outreach
      • Prayer Requests
      • Blood Drive
    • En Español
      • Jóvenes de la Luz
      • Bautismo
      • Misa de Sanación
    • Community Groups
      • Christian Community Service Center
      • Guayaquil Mission
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Scouts
      • Legion of Mary
      • Society of St. Vincent de Paul
  • Giving
    • Ways to Give
      • Give Now
      • Giving Descriptions
    • Additional Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • Gifts of Stock
      • Light a Candle
    • Campaigns
      • Building Bright Futures
      • Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel

 

    • Sacraments & Worship
      • Sacraments
        • Information regarding Sacramental Preparation
        • Baptism
        • Reconciliation
        • Holy Communion
        • Confirmation
        • Matrimony
        • Ordination/Consecrated Life
        • Anointing of the Sick
      • Worship
        • Adoration
        • Confession
        • Mass Schedule
        • Devotions & Novenas
      • Prayer
        • Prayer Requests
      • Liturgical Ministries
        • Altar Linen Ministry
        • Altar Servers
        • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
        • Sacristans & Acolytes
        • Music Ministry
          • The Studio Page - What is Choral sound?
          • Taizé in France - the history and the music
          • Wedding Music
          • Choir Members (Music Link)
        • Proclaimers of the Word
        • Ushers
  • Brother Roger and the Taizé Community

    It was called by Pope John XXIII, “Ah, Taizé, that little springtime!” And in more recent times described by Pope John Paul II, “One passes through Taizé as one passes close to a spring of water. The traveler stops, quenches his thirst and continues on his way.”
     
    Taizé, (pronounced “teh-ZAY”), is currently a community of approximately 100 religious brothers, located in southern France. In July 1940, Roger Louis Schuz-Marsauche, then a Swiss Reformed minister, arrived in the tiny community of Taizé in southeastern France, approximately one hundred miles from the Swiss border. Brother Roger, as he became known, soon became involved with giving refuge to orphaned children and to hiding Jews fleeing Hitler’s Nazi atrocities during and immediately following WWII.
     
    Currently, each year, about 100,000 young adults between the ages of 18-30 make week long retreats at Taizé from cultures spanning the globe. Pilgrims of all ages are most welcomed to visit too. Becoming a spiritual destination for pilgrims was in no way the initial intent of the monastic community at Taizé; but, come they did in amazing numbers.

    Again turning to the words of Pope John Paul II during one of his visits to Taizé, “…although you did not look for it, you have seen young people from everywhere come to you by the thousands, attracted by your prayer and your community life. How can we not think that these young people are the gift and the means that the Lord gives you as springtime for all who are searching for true life?”

    Early in life of the monastic community, as Taizé was becoming a destination for young pilgrims, it was Brother Roger’s vision to attract both Protestant and Catholic youth. Yet, at the time, he was personally being drawn to embrace the Church of Rome, and to become reconciled to the Bishop of Rome.
     
    Brother Roger received his First Holy Communion in 1972 from the Bishop of Autun, Armand Le Bourgeois. This began an ongoing media controversy; which Brother Roger continually worked to quell, trying to remain sensitive to the delicate ecumenical balance among the community and the young pilgrims coming to Taizé.
     
    In an interesting turn of events, at the funeral of his beloved Pope John Paul II, Brother Roger received Holy Communion from the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, also a beloved friend of many years. Unknown to both of them at the time, Cardinal Ratzinger was about to become Pope Benedict XVI.
     
    Brother Roger and Pope Benedict XVI were to have met again at the 2005 World Youth Conference in Cologne, Germany; but. Brother Roger, now 90 years of age, tragically was murdered by a disturbed woman during vespers at Taizé. From the World Youth Conference in Cologne, Pope Benedict said, “… I would also like in this context to remember the great pioneer of unity, Brother Roger Schutz, who was so tragically snatched from life. I had known him personally for a long time and had a cordial friendship with him. He often came to visit me and, as I already said in Rome on the day of his assassination, I received a letter from him that moved my heart, because in it he underlined his adherence to my path and announced to me that he wanted to come and see me. He is now visiting us and speaking to us from on high. I think that we must listen to him…”.  Cardinal Walter Kaspar, Vatican Secretary for Christian Unity, presided at Brother Roger’s Requiem Mass at Taizé.

  • Taizé Sung Prayer and The Chants of Taizé

    Amidst these multicultural assemblies of global pilgrims, a new kind music developed to fit these global gatherings – many using brief sung texts in Latin set to simple melodies with verses in several vernacular languages. Many of these Taizé chants have been readily available over the past two decades in our various Catholic hymnals here in the states; listed as songs composed by Jacques Berthier, or the Community of Taizé.
     
    The mystical sounding chants of Taizé are indeed a “music of participation.” The chants are brief texts that one sings over and over, using repetition as a mechanism for the words to enter one’s very being. It becomes the unending song that continues in one's mind, long after one has stopped singing. Various other instrumental or vocal parts may embellish the basic chorale or round. Taizé sung prayer as a holy hour is a marvelous way to experience a peaceful emersion in both song and silence, where one can encounter Christ. Often amidst subdued lighting, the worshippers gather. Using Taizé chants throughout, the entire assembly sings practically everything. The song of the worshippers continues gently out accross the assembly, as waves across water.
     
    During the sung prayer there is a period of silent reflection for one to absorb the meaning of what has been sung, read and seen.  Icons are often present for one to visually meditate.  Icons bring to one’s eyes what words bring to one’s hearing.
     
    The Catholic Church's National Association of Pastoral Musicians at their 2006 Eastern Regional Convention presented the Jubilate Deo Award to Jacques Berthier, (posthumously), and the Brothers of Taizé for their “passionate commitment to a life of simplicity, prayer and song.” The Award was received by Brother Alois, who succeeded Brother Roger as the spiritual leader of the Taizé community. Brother Alois is a Catholic brother of German origin.
     
    Taizé prayer is offered through out the year here in The Galveston-Houston Archdiocese at the Cenacle Retreat Center, and on specific dates in the Chapel at the Villa de Matel of the Incarnate Word Sisters. On the first Sunday night of each month at 7:30 pm throughout the year, Night Prayer from the Roman Breviary is sung with the music of Taizé at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

    • Taizé - LISTEN to the peaceful chants and video from Taizé for your meditation or singing pleasure (
    • Click here if you WANT TO SEE THE WORDS and music while you listen to the Taize chants
    • 1. Video – Life at Taizé for a week long retreat for young adults 18-30 14:26
    • 2. Video – The Story of Taizé & the Taizé Meeting in Kilgali, Rwanda October 2011 22:27
    • 3. Video – Taizé European Meetings 05:04
    • 4. Video – Taizé On the Way to Rotterdam, the Netherlands Dec 2011 03:12
    • 5. Video – Preparation for School Groups – narrated by Dr. Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury w
    • 6. Video – 2011 Easter in Moscow with Taizé 15:34
    • 7. Video – Taizé Poland Dec 2009 (in Polish) 15:56
    • 8. Video – Meeting Berlin Jan-Dec 2010 (in German) 03:17
    • The Community of Taizé's Website in France http://www.taize.fr/en; this year's winter meeting Dec 28
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025 - Phone (713) 667-9111 - Fax (713) 667-3453 
Get Directions
Login
powered by eCatholic®