Would you like some time to gather your thoughts, to relax and reflect a little, be away from social media if you wish, and meet young people from throughout the world? Then the ‘Journey to Taizé programme might be for you.

The ‘Journey to Taizé’ programme commences in December each year and culminates in eight days spent in the Taizé community in eastern France in June of the following summer. Each June, approximately 30 young people in Transition Year to Leaving Cert school years from throughout the Diocese of Ossory accompanied by five leaders comprising staff and volunteers from Ossory Youth set out from Kilkenny on a long journey to Taizé. Amazingly, at the same time, in common with most weeks of the year, up to 1000 other young people from throughout most countries in Europe will also be travelling to Taizé, and all about to spend the next week together.

What draws them all to a small village on a hill in the depths of rural Burgundy in eastern France is the Taizé Community. The Taizé community is an ecumenical monastic order composed of about one hundred brothers, from Protestant and Catholic traditions, who originate from around 30 countries across the world. A week in Taizé is an opportunity for reflection and contemplation and a little step back from daily life. But bringing people together is also the essence of Taizé and it is a week of meeting young people from different countries and cultures where friendships are made and preconceptions challenged.
For additional information, including costs, feel free to contact Patrick.
This programme is supported by the Diocese of Ossory.