Drawn to the cross

By Linda Linonis | April 1, 2010 at 12:06a.m.

Taizé service helps Christians focus on Holy Week

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

WARREN

Photo by: Lisa-Ann Ishihara

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Tom and Karen Lazor of Howland sing one of the songs, a repetitious style of music called ostinato, during Taizé prayer.

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LISA-ANN ISHIHARA | THE VINDICATOR.Parishoner of Blessed Sacrament Church Pat Rogan of Green Township touches the cross Taize prayer around the cross in Warren, Tuesday March 30, 2010

The meditative style of Taizé prayer fits well into the contemplative nature of Holy Week.

The reflective prayer is a means to draw people into the solemn days of Holy Week, said Pat Campbell, director of music ministry at Blessed Sacrament Church, where a Taizé service took place Tuesday.

The focal point was a large wooden cross surrounded by a host of candles in the glass-walled sanctuary, where some 30 people gathered.

Taizé prayer, practiced by believers of many Christian faith traditions, combines simple chants interspersed with silence, Scripture and prayer. Its heritage is rooted in an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. The site attracts young people worldwide who come to pray, engage in Bible study and perform communal work.

“It’s centering prayer,” Campbell said of the Taiz style. “It helps us get into the mind-set of why this time is so important.”

Christians worldwide begin the Triduum today. The observance starts this evening with Masses and services of the Lord’s Supper for Holy/Maundy Thursday and ends with evening prayer Easter Sunday. The Triduum commemorates the Passion, Crucifixion, death and Resurrection of Jesus, which make up the Paschal Mystery of Christianity.

Campbell, who visited the Taizé community in 1995, said the prayer service usually is set in a darkened area with candles.

“There’s a beauty to it,” she said of the atmosphere. “And it gives you energy.”

In this week’s service, the setting worked harmoniously with the repetitious style of music, blended with periods of silence for personal reflection and readings from Scripture.

There also was time to revere the cross by touching, kissing it, kneeling near it or standing next to it and praying. The Taiz service lends itself to “shared leadership.”

“The intercessory prayers ask for God’s help ... [with] personal needs and the needs of the faith community around the world,” Campbell said.

She said she wanted the service to give participants a “feeling of calmness and a closeness to Christ.” But mostly, she hoped it gave “strength to go through the days that are coming up.”

Campbell said the style of Taizé prayer somehow imparts “hopefulness” and “the idea of being refreshed.” She said the meditative aspect allows participants to ponder “the sacrifice of the cross.”

Kathy Lattanzi of Girard said she “loved this kind of prayer” and added that she got “peace out of it.”

“I’ve always liked Taizé prayer because it’s comforting. The repetition makes it prayful,” said Linda Orsinelli. Her daughter, Patty Orsinelli, said the silence lends itself to a prayful time.

“It enables me to get deeper into prayer,” said Faye Abbondanza, who played the oboe at the service. She said the instrumental parts are independent but fit together well.

“This service is different each time ... the same as prayer, which is never the same,” she said.

SCHEDULE

Columbiana First Presbyterian Church, 28 E. Park Ave., Columbiana: service of shadows at 7 p.m. today.

Faith Community Covenant Church, 1919 E. Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown: Good Friday tenebrae service at noon.

First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown: tenebrae service at 7:30 p.m. today.

First Presbyterian Church, 3654 Main St., Mineral Ridge: service of shadows at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday with special music by Eric McClellan and Anita Miller.

Mahoning United Methodist Church, 2214 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown: Good Friday tenebrae service at 7 p.m.

Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield: Good Friday prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. tenebrae service at Green Haven Memorial Park.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman: Good Friday tenebrae service at 7:30 p.m. with Passion story.

Zion Lutheran Church, 10857 Main St., New Middletown: Good Friday tenebrae service at 7:30 p.m.