Betsy Ludwig prays in front of the candlelit cross icon in the University Catholic Center’s chapel before the start of “Taize Prayer Around the Cross” on Feb. 26. The Center’s director/pastor, Jesuit Father Chris Cartwright, who leads prayer and music during Taize services, is seen at the piano in the background.

A cross, a darkened room, a time for healing and forgiveness

By Anna Weaver | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Upcoming Taizé services University Catholic Center Chapel, 7:30 p.m., Mar. 11 and 18; information, www.ucchawaii.org. St. Ann Church, Kaneohe, 7:30 p.m., Mar. 14, information, 247-3092.

On the evening of Feb. 26, 40 people congregated in the darkened chapel of the University Catholic Center at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. The space was lit only with several dozen candles placed around a large cross icon standing on the altar.

Over the next hour, while incense lingered in the air, the gathered were lulled into a peaceful, meditative state through long pauses for silent prayer, the repetition of simple hymns, a Scripture reading and prayer petitions. The culmination of the service arrived when the cross was laid down on small stools in front of the altar with one candle in its center. People left their chairs to kneel around it, their hands and sometimes their heads resting on the cross.

This gathering was the “Taizé Prayer Around the Cross,” a meditative ecumenical prayer that originated with the Taizé Community, a contemplative order of monks based in Taizé, France. The service, with its focus on the cross of Christ, is a popular devotional offering by churches during Lent.

The objective of the prayer is that, by reflecting on Christ’s suffering and sacrifice, people find healing and forgiveness.

The late Brother Roger Schutz, the founder of the Taizé community, described it this way: “Prayer is a serene force at work within human beings, stirring transforming, never allowing them to close their eyes in the face of evil. From it we draw the energy to wage other struggles.”

This is the fifth year the University Catholic Center, formerly called the Newman Center, has hosted the Taizé prayer during Lent. The center’s director/pastor, Jesuit Father Christopher Cartwright, leads the singing and plays the piano at the services.

“[Taizé’s] focus on the cross makes sense for Lent,” he said.

Betsy Ludwig, who attended the Feb. 26 service, said she enjoys going to Taizé, particularly during Lent. “I love anything that’s ecumenical,” said the Unity Church of Hawaii member. “I love to be with other faiths.”

St. Ann Parish in Kaneohe started its Lenten Taizé prayer last year and also held services during the Advent 2007 season. The idea came from parish music director Noel Jaderstrom, who has attended workshops and done research on Taizé.

St. Ann’s pastor, Sacred Hearts Father Herman Gomes, said that Taizé is “a very calming, peaceful, reflective form of prayer.”

“I think it just adds to the idea of the Paschal Mystery — suffering, death and resurrection,” he said.

Around 150 people came to St. Ann’s Taizé service on the first Friday of Lent, Feb. 8. The parish has extended an invitation to all parishes and faiths who want to attend its March 14 service. Father Gomes said he has specifically invited members of the nearby Hope Chapel to come.

“The whole Taizé experience started as an ecumenical service,” he said. “I thought it would be nice to have our Hope Chapel brothers join us.”

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish by Ala Moana also held a Lenten Taizé Prayer Service, with the theme “Your Faith Has Saved You” on the evening of March 2.

At Taizé, the intention is for people to gather strength and peace from the cross. Before the closing song of the University Catholic Center’s Feb. 26 Taizé prayer, Father Cartwright underscored this, saying, “The darkness doesn’t prevail. Through the cross we are lead into light.”