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What if 40.000 young people across Europe gathered in one place in Geneve, Switzerland? A gathering that made me travel to this wonderful city. All of a sudden, the city became packed with youth spirit, joyful chants among the participants, fellowship, interesting discussion, chances to build friendship among new found mates and opportunities to pray together. This Taizé annual celebration for European youngster called Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth began on December 28, 2007 until January 1, 2008.
I was fortunate to join this joyful occasion thanks to Belgium group who arranged this pilgrimage to Geneve. A bit funny thing happened since there are the two parts of Belgium, Flemish and Francophone, I needed to pick up a particular group. Though my new habitat is in the Netherlands but I prefer to speak and use French (with my poor French skill, anyway I eventually prefer to use my English), thank God there’s French Cultural Center in Jakarta.
The gathering began after all participants arrived in Geneve, a city well known for the Lake, the one that I really like, located in a mountainous area. After the placement process, I joined the francophone friends with my host in Lausanne, another city that’s reachable within 30 minutes by train. It’s really fun from the beginning and in the afternoon, the gathering started at Geneve Airport. Amazing, after having not seen thousands of young people gathering in one place for fellowship, eventually I saw them.
My first experience It was indeed my very first experience, but the prayer and the meditative songs captivated my heart from the very beginning. The Taize brothers led the whole prayer in such a way that made me wonder how these young became interested to gather. The answer might come from the fellowship and the simple spirituality combining people from different denominations, different churches in a single fellowship. They have no zealous preaching, only simple meditation in each meeting. There’s particular method, they merely offer friendship ( I got some french speaking friend at that time). They have no emphasis on dogma or whatsoever but the message is clear and too obvious, there’s God who cares for us. Someone who loves us as I hear in one of the songs, “Nothing can ever come between us and the Love of God”.
The fellowship The lunch and dinner session were also unbelievable, seeing thousands of people made me think that probably they need few fishes and breads ( does the parable ring a bell?). It’s fun to meet and share my struggle, faith and hope among the others not only for praying together. I guess that’s the true spirit of fellowship and community. My journey from Geneve to Lausanne, with free ride ticket given by the organizer, was fun indeed and full of songs from different languages. Surprisingly I got a chance to teach songs when my friends asked me to teach some songs and I had no reluctance to teach those songs (I love it and remember it by heart).
Enjoying Lausanne and Geneve During those days, all participants were also able to explore the beauty of Lausanne and Geneve. Many options were given variably from gospel concert, city tour, reflection with Taize brothers, musical performance until meditation. Too many options for even a single day.Lausanne with its cathedral looked great, the Lake Geneve is also awesome due its breathtaking background that is snowy mountains.
In a nutshell, it’s fun, enjoyable and I miss those moments again. A zillion thanks for Taize community, my friends, and the Belgium organizer on this trip, good luck for being the next host of Taize meeting this year.
