After our return, people often asked me, “What did you receive from your journey?” It is a question that is hard to answer in a short conversation. The best way I can describe it is this: I received God, all over again every day, from the moment I woke up, through the bustle and joy of the day, to when I laid my tired head to rest.
In Taizé, we sought Him in silence, prayer, and the gentle rhythm of community life. In Rome, we found Him in the faces of young people from every corner of the world, in the grandeur of our Church’s history, and in the living diversity of our Catholic faith. And in Assisi, we found a moment that tied together the journey’s many blessings.
Two days in Taizé felt like a week-long retreat, a sacred pause that quieted my mind and made space for what truly matters. It was a place of silence, yet full of energy, laughter, and love. Kindness seemed to flow from every corner.
My faith, in both God and humanity, grew stronger as I witnessed young adults from many nations sharing simple joys together. They lay on the grass singing songs of prayer, practiced yoga side by side, and read quietly in each other’s presence. They jumped on tables and played games like God’s children, shedding the burdens of adulthood. Each morning began with Mass, and every day, three times a day, we prayed the Taizé way, in meditation, with simple chants, reading the Word of God, and silent reflection.
I was deeply moved by the simple meals served with smiles by people both younger and older. We also had the chance to serve, cleaning community spaces and toilets alongside others who did so joyfully and without complaint.
During our stay, we had the blessing of meeting Brother Jean-Daniel from the Taizé community. On our last day, he asked us, “What will you take back from Taizé?” Without hesitation, I realized I wanted to bring the Taizé way of prayer back to my young friends at St Ignatius International Youth Ministry (SIIYM). Just as Taizé offered me a special moment of escape from life’s busyness, I hope its spirit can inspire our community to find moments of peace and prayer through music, even amid Tokyo’s fast pace.
A Journey of Faith by the Youth of St Ignatius Church Joanne Lopes
