Taize helps young Africans build trust

Thousands of young African Christians gathered in Nairobi last week for five days of worship, prayer and exploring God’s calling on their lives.

‘Pilgrimage of Trust’, organised by the Community of Taize, brought 7,000 young Christians to the Kenyan capital.

Participants included 30 young Masai wearing traditional red garments and clubs – the first Christians in their families – and 130 youth from Europe, North America and Asia. Twenty participants also travelled from Kivu, the north-eastern region of Congo currently embroiled in conflict between government troops and rebel forces.

“Their presence clearly reflected the desire and the capacity of young people to overcome barriers and meet to contribute to brotherly relations in a region overwhelmed by tension and division. The capability to meet and exchange with simplicity and ease was a sign of peace,” said a spokesperson for the event.

The times of common prayer featured a blend of song and dance, meditative Taize refrains, and long moments of silence.

The Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue, preached to the youths on Friday.

“Be inspired by the central message of the Bible – ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’” he told them. “We are all sons and daughters of God, you are all precious.”

During the last common prayer meeting, Brother Alois, Prior of Taize, gave an icon of Jesus to representatives of each of the 15 African countries present. The youths will take the icons with them to places of suffering and hope within their local communities.

“It will remind them that Christ always remains at their side,” said the spokesperson.

The participants were hosted by more than 2,500 families across Nairobi, while youth groups from 80 parishes came together to prepare the morning programme on the theme of ‘Together seeking paths of hope’.

For the majority of youth taking part, this was their first experience of travel, with some journeying two days to Nairobi.

“The ability to adapt, to live each moment with joy, and to help one another enabled everyone to face the challenges of the journey,” said the spokesperson.