“It’s so simple. The simplicity is important, the togetherness is important and the silence. It’s a very calm kind of tranquil atmosphere,” said Hughes, 21, a religious studies major at the University of Ottawa.  

“To have 1,000 people who are all in silence at once is absolutely amazing.”

Hughes is one of hundreds of young adults from across North America expected to come to Montreal April 27 to 29 for a large-scale Taizé gathering. The event is sponsored by the Taizé France community founded by Br. Roger and the Catholic, Anglican and United churches of Montreal.

Roger launched the pilgrimage to reach young people in their own communities.

The weekend is a set of Taizé prayers and reflections. The prayers are chanted repeatedly, sometimes sung in harmonies, sometimes accompanied by instruments. Br. Roger’s successor, Br. Alois will address the participants each evening.

The brothers offer Christian teachings appropriate for all denominations throughout the weekend, said Ottawa area organizer Sr. Marie-Pierre Delorme.

She hopes to bring about 60 youth from a variety of Christian denominations from Ottawa.

As a Sister of St. Mary, Delorme said her religious order has been bringing groups of young people to Taizé, France, for decades.  

“The prayers are very interesting, different, touching. The Taizé style is quite original. It’s something to discover if someone has never experienced it,” said Delorme.

“It’s accessible to any person even the people who are not acquainted with everything that has to do with church stuff,” said Delorme.  

The gathering: “Leaving discouragement behind, finding new hope” will be held at St. Alphonse Church, 560 Crémazie St. in Montreal. For information visit www.taizemontreal2007.ca.