Last week over 6000 predominantly young people from many places across the planet gathered in the Church of Reconciliation in the village of Taizé, France. The building was designed by one of the brothers of the Taizé community in the 60’s and was built by young Germans working for reconciliation after the Second World War. In the early 70’s the community demolished the west wall and added a circus tent for more space. The building has been constantly adapted to welcome over 8000 pilgrims at any one time.

I first came as a pilgrim to Taizé in 1971 and was enchanted by the square stained glass windows running along the south side of the church depicting some moments from the Christian story. I loved the simplicity of form and colour. This week I rediscovered a window of St Francis, made by the same brother, in the Romanesque church in the village. I had not seen this window in several years. It was a lovely connection with our time in Assisi this Easter.