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From Monet to Taize
By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
The French Impressionist Claude Monet is famous for his paintings of
his Japanese gardens. We got to visit his home in Giverny, France on
May 13, 2000 when we joined a group from Bethany Seminary.
The tour was organized by Nancy Faus, retired Bethany professor, and
our destination was Taize (pronounced Tayzay.) Nancy had conducted
previous tours to Taize so she knew her way around France.
We arrived in Paris on May 10th. and were given a tour of the city. Our
group of 40 students and older adults got along well. Two students
helped Nancy keep things moving.
On the following day we were bussed to Chartres where we visited the
cathedral. The famous stained glass windows had been preserved during
WWII by removing them and storing them in a safe place, while 85% of
the city was destroyed.
On May 12th. we walked to the Louvre where we saw the Mona Lisa and
many other well known pieces of art. The museum is too big to view in
one day.
On the following day we were bussed to the home of Claude Monet which
is quite a tourist attraction. We were allowed to walk through his
house and gardens and take photos.
On Sunday May 14th. we walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral and attended
the 10 AM service. In the PM we were bussed to the train station where
we boarded the “bullet” train which travels about 100 miles per hour.
When the train stopped to let us off we seniors got out of the way
while the young people unloaded all of the luggage in about five
minutes. Our destination was Taize, a small town in eastern France.
The Taize community was founded by Brother Roger over fifty years ago
and he was joined by more brothers who live a celibate life committed
to peace and reconciliation. Nearly 100 brothers belong to the
community, and some work abroad as missionaries.
The main thrust of their work is to reach young people from all over
the world with the Christian message of peace and brotherhood. During
our week long stay only a few hundred youth were present, but at times
they have several thousand.
The brothers have three worship services daily which are announced by
the ringing of large bells, and all are invited to attend. The brothers
sit on small stools in the center of the worship area and the visitors
sit around the outside. The young people sat on the floor.
Since people from different countries attend several different
languages are used. The song books are printed in French, German,
English, Italian, Spanish, and sometimes additional languages.
When Brother Roger spoke he always used French. However one of our
teachers used four or five different languages besides his native
Korean tongue..
We had a special meeting with Brother John Marie who helped plan and
conduct the worship services. He was from New York and had studied
Philosophy in college. He was a good musician and sang some of the
solos during worship.
I had taken one of my wooden Brethren Service Cups which I had turned
on my lathe, and I tried to give it to Brother John. The brothers,
however, don’t accept any gifts so he suggested that I give it to
someone in my study group, which I did.
My main interest in Taize was to learn some of the music. It is
different from the hymns that we are used to. Sometimes there are
choruses sung by the congregation while a soloist sings an obligato
part. We brought home some books and CD’s.
Our trip home was uneventful except that the metal in my right knee
caused trouble going through security in the Paris airport.
I’m not sure which I enjoyed most, Monet or Taize.
Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
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