With Br. Thomas of Taize
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There will be many who
shape our life. Br. Thomas is one of the early band of colleagues who joined
Fr. Roger when he founded the Community. He hails from Scotland and it is
because of his guidance and care that I got involved deeply in the life of this
Community, even from my younger days. He became my Guru and his deep insights
propelled me to the world of universal solidarity and to new avenues of
struggle and contemplation.
Br. Thomas played a key role in the growth of Taize. Mother Theresa was so much drawn to this community and invited an inter-continental team to Calcutta in 1976. It was Br. Thomas who asked me to join this group and we stayed with Br. Roger and experienced real slum life. "Second Letter to the People of God" was written here during our daily reflections, after work during day time in the slums and destitute homes of the Missionaries of Charity. We had the privilege of interacting with Mother Theresa on some rare evenings and for many of us youngsters it was a bolt from the blue. The willingness of Fr. Roger to live among the poor people in the streets of Calcutta, revolutionised our thinking. Br. Thomas, Br. Ghislein and many others were leading from the front.
It is four decades since I first arrived on the hills of Taize and it is with trembling heart that I stand before the tomb of that great visionary, Br. Roger. My consolation is that Br. Thomas and many stalwarts are steering the Movement forward, with Br. Alois at the helm.
One more beautiful summer in Taize and I am refreshed and relaxed. Our world today is a better place to live because of many like Br. Roger and Mother Theresa who reduced themselves to zero so as to help others grow in fullness.
Br. Thomas played a key role in the growth of Taize. Mother Theresa was so much drawn to this community and invited an inter-continental team to Calcutta in 1976. It was Br. Thomas who asked me to join this group and we stayed with Br. Roger and experienced real slum life. "Second Letter to the People of God" was written here during our daily reflections, after work during day time in the slums and destitute homes of the Missionaries of Charity. We had the privilege of interacting with Mother Theresa on some rare evenings and for many of us youngsters it was a bolt from the blue. The willingness of Fr. Roger to live among the poor people in the streets of Calcutta, revolutionised our thinking. Br. Thomas, Br. Ghislein and many others were leading from the front.
It is four decades since I first arrived on the hills of Taize and it is with trembling heart that I stand before the tomb of that great visionary, Br. Roger. My consolation is that Br. Thomas and many stalwarts are steering the Movement forward, with Br. Alois at the helm.
One more beautiful summer in Taize and I am refreshed and relaxed. Our world today is a better place to live because of many like Br. Roger and Mother Theresa who reduced themselves to zero so as to help others grow in fullness.
Abraham Karickam
Br. Roger of Taize
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2015 will be very special
to Taize. It will be the 75th year of the founding of the community, 10th death
anniversary of Br. Roger and 100th year of his birth. A visionary non-pereil,
Br. Roger founded the Ecumenical Community when the trumpets of World War II
were sounding large in Europe. Ever since, it has become refuge for millions of
young people from around the world, who thirst for peace. Br. Alois is leading
this pilgrimage today, with the support of a vibrant band of brothers and
sisters to support him. The "Pilgrimage of Trust" continues. The
brothers of Taize want the Community to be a place of Trust, a safe abode for
those who come to seek inner peace.
Abraham Karickam
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