A Community Called Taize - by Jason Brian Santos (Paperback)

About the Book

Jason Brian Santos takes us on a tour of the Taizé community, one of the world's first ecumenical monastic orders, from its monastic origins in the war-torn south of 1940s France to its emerging mission as a pilgrimage site and spiritual focal point for millions of young people throughout the world.

Book Synopsis

Taizé--the word is strangely familiar to many throughout the contemporary church. Familiar, perhaps, because the chanted prayers of Taizé are well practiced in churches throughout the world. Strangely, however, because so little is knownabout Taizé--from its historic beginnings to how the word itself is pronounced.

The worship of the Taizé community, as it turns out, is best understood in the context of its greater mission. On the day Jason Brian Santos arrived in the Taizé community its leader was brutally murdered before his eyes. Instead of making Santos want to leave, the way the community handled this tragedy made him long to stay and learn more about this group of people who could respond to such evil with grace andlove.

In this book he takes us on a tour of one of the world's first ecumenical monastic orders, from its monastic origins in the war-torn south of 1940s France to its emerging mission as a pilgrimage site and spiritual focal point for millions of young people throughout the world. In A Community Called Taizé you'll meet the brothers of the order and the countless visitors and volunteers who have taken upon themselves a modest mission: pronouncing peace and reconciliation to thechurch and the world.

Review Quotes

"A thorough and compelling book about this group that focuses on prayer, worship, reconciliation and evangelism in European countries, where Christianity is declining."

--Steve Rabey, Youth Worker Journal, January/February 2009

"A wonderful example of a community that is living out the gospel in a unique way, with an understanding of God's provision and love beyond our western idea of PowerPoints and Sunday meet and greets."

--Worship Leader, May 2009

"An excellent book . . . Highly recommended for public libraries and all religious studies collections."

--Tiffany R. Walsh, Catholic Library World, June 2010

"Chatty, practical, and animated by a winsome spirit, the book is aimed chiefly at young readers who might be dreaming about traveling to the Protestant monastic community in France. Santos combines personal narrative, theological reflection, and travel-guide details. The story he has to tell is definitely worth telling."

--John Wilson, Christianity Today, April 2009

"Santos gives the history and development of Borther Roger's spiritual journey and vision for Taize, but he also shows how Taize has grown far beyond that original vision to become one of the truly unique spiritual centers of the world. A Community Called Taize is a much-needed and welcomed resource on this significant part of the body of Christ and what it has to teach us today."

--InternetMonk, (internetmonk.com), October 29, 2008

"This book is a worthy introduction to one of the most interesting and edifying movements in the Christian world today."

--Commonweal, September 25, 2009

"This well-written history should be considered by anyone who may want to learn more about Taize."

--Philip Marcoccia, The Catholic Register March 8, 2009

"This Ph.D. candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary first landed at Taizé in 2005 on the very day its founder, Brother Roger Schultz, was murdered (at prayer) by a disturbed Romanian woman. Santos experienced the community's loving response to the tragedy."

--B.B. St. Anthony Messenger, April 2010

"InterVarsity Press continues to stir deep and contemplative thought through their Formatio series of titles that have recently been released. In an age that is characterized by individual and commercialized faith, it is nice to know that there are books being written that operate at as call back to Christian community. Their willingness to highlight Taize in A Community Called Taize is particularly affecting and I was greatly edified by this read."

--C. E. Moore, The Christian Manifesto (thechristianmanifesto.wordpress.com), January 2, 2009

"Lovely and instructive. . . . Besides Santos's careful research, readers will appreciate his thoughtful ideas about how to take Taizé's spirit beyond the community."

--Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Jason Santos is associate pastor of youth mission and ministry at University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington. While a doctoral student at Princeton Seminary he mentored seminary students on youth ministry and Christian education, taught youth ministry courses, and spoke regularly to young people, youth workers and pastors across the country. He was awarded the Timothy Scholar Fellowship for Research of Youth Culture. Jason has worked in hands-on ministry at churches in London, Chicago, and Bonn, Germany. He is the author of A Community Called Taizé A Story of Prayer, Worship and Reconciliation.