Stefan Schevers in Dutch catholic weekly
European Taizé gathering
Dutch catholic weekly paper ‘Katholiek Nieuwsblad’ placed an article about the European Taizé youth gathering in Estland. Here is a summary of the article.
Becoming part of the whole
The 47th European Youth Meeting of Taizé took place in Tallinn, Estonia, from December 28 to January 1, attracting thousands of young people from across Europe, including the Netherlands. The theme of the gathering was ‘hope’, reflecting the challenges faced globally. It was reportedly the largest youth meeting ever held in Estonia.
Participants engaged in communal prayers and workshops, with local churches providing accommodation. The event aimed to transform individual lives into a collective community experience, where attendees felt part of something larger. Dutch priest Stefan Schevers, a long-time participant, highlighted how these meetings have influenced his vocation and how the theme of hope was central, inspired by Apostle Paul's teachings on hope as faith in what is unseen.
The Taizé community, known for its ecumenical approach, brings together Christians from various denominations. Pope Francis sent a message to the participants, emphasizing the importance of unity among Christians in light of global trials like war, inhumane treatment, and inequality. He stressed that hope is crucial in overcoming fatigue, crises, and fear.
Given Estonia's proximity to Russia and the ongoing geopolitical tensions, the meeting also addressed themes of peace and support. During one of the prayer sessions, Ukrainian attendees shared their perspectives on hope, emphasizing solidarity and support as key elements. The gathering also shed light on the broader unrest, with attendees from Belarus expressing concerns about potential repercussions back home for their participation in the event.
