The Wellsprings of Trust on Earth

Last Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI spoke with about 40 thousand young people from Europe’s Taizé Community, who traveled on pilgrimage to Rome in order to receive the Holy Father’s blessing on their resolution for the New Year: “to uncover the wellsprings of trust in God in today’s world.”

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical monastic order, which was founded in France in 1940.  It has since become of a place of pilgrimage for young people, who gather there from throughout the world seeking a renewed trust in God. The community is best known for its Taizé form of music and worship, which includes songs and chants from various traditions and is presented in a number of languages.

In his message to the young pilgrims, Pope Benedict XVI said:

Singing to Christ, you open yourselves to the mystery of His hope. Do not be afraid to precede the dawn in praise of God, you will not be disappointed. Dear young friends, Christ does not remove you from the world. He sends you there where His light is missing, so that you may bring it to others. Yes, you are all called to be small lights to those around you. With your attention to a more equitable distribution of the goods of the earth, with your commitment to justice and a new human solidarity, you will help those around you to better understand how the Gospel leads us to God and at the same time to others. So, with your faith, you will contribute to uncovering the wellsprings of trust on earth.

 For a young generation that finds itself attracted to the spiritual but not quite sure where to turn, the praise and worship of the Taizé community is a perfect place for those who are seeking to place their trust in Someone much bigger than themselves.