Taize Service

On the third Wednesday evening of each month during the academic year, Canterbury House offers a Taizé service, a service of meditative prayer and simple, accessible music. Canterbury House Faculty Advisor Dr. Stephen Rush, who designed our Taizé service, is a nationally-renowned scholar of Taizé music. He has visited the Taizé community and discussed the music with the monks, and has lectured on the principles and aesthetics of Taizé music at national music conferences.

“Taizé is a tiny village hidden away in the hills of Burgundy, in the eastern part of France not far from the town of Cluny. Since 1940 it has been the home of an ecumenical community of brothers whose prayer, three times each day, is at the center of their life. Today, Taizé is a place to which visitors of all ages and backgrounds come on pilgrimage, to participate in international meetings of prayer and reflection.”
– Music from Taizé

Taizé chant consists of short musical phrases with singable melodic units that can be readily memorized. Those who play an instrument are invited to join us at 4:30 p.m. for a brief rehearsal. Free supper, prepared by our members, follows every service.

On other Wednesday evenings, we offer Solemn Evensong.  On Sundays, join us for the Jazz Mass.