CHAPTER 3: EUCHARIST IN ECUMENICAL MONASTERIES 111 entire assembly ‘gathers around the Word of God’ quite literally so, since the brothers as well as the guests who find themselves adjacent to or East of the ambo turn around during the Gospel reading. This is an impressive rite in itself, especially when performed by hundreds of people. The community produces its own ever-evolving songbook: a new edition is published annually, usually with several new hymns added and some old ones removed. The typical and famous repetitive Taizé songs are mostly polyphonic yet easy to learn, enabling most of the congregation to join the choir (which is newly composed every week with both permanent members and short-term guests). The singing is supported by the church’s organ, or by the keyboard complemented with whatever instruments guests have brought along. Eucharist, morning prayer, and Communion A typical day in Taizé revolves around the three common prayers: morning (8:15 am), midday (12:20 pm), and evening (20:30 pm). The brothers gather in the Church of Reconciliation for each of these prayers, and all guests are invited to join them. In fact, guests, predominantly youth with a high percentage of minors, are expected to participate in the prayers as a fixed component of the Taizé-routine. This routine further includes Bible studies, participation in socalled small groups (on Mondays, groups of about twenty youths are composed to meet on a daily basis to discuss the Bible studies), choirs, meals, and facultative workshops. However – and this is of special importance for the current study – the Eucharist is celebrated prior to the morning prayer. Celebration starts at 7:30 am and takes place while most guests are waking up and getting dressed as they prepare themselves for morning prayer (followed by breakfast). Many of the guests appear to be altogether unaware of this early morning Mass. It is usually celebrated in the crypt or the temporary chapel created by lowering the walls of the rear end ‘compartment’ of the church (section M). During my visit in Summer 2017, an estimated 150 out of 2500 guests attended the morning Mass, concelebrated by eleven priests: Taizé’s Catholic priests (one ordained brother resides in Taizé, the other in the small community in Brazil) and visiting Roman Catholic clergy. Most attendees seemed familiar with Mass according to the Roman rite, knowing exactly how to respond to the liturgical acts. The songs were Taizé’s and the homily was replaced by a time of silent contemplation. I noticed that most attendees received Communion. A far greater number of hosts was consecrated and those not administered during Mass were stored in Taizé-made vessels. The same applied to the wine. By the end of the service, the
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