The Church of Reconciliation was full. At the front, on the right, were members of Br Roger's family and people from the village of Taizé; on the left, religious and civil leaders which included representatives from other Christian denominations in Europe and from as far away as Haiti, and the President of Germany, the French Interior Minister and representatives from Eastern Europe, including Romania.

A little further back were people from the "sister" village of Ameugny and friends of the Community and then hundreds of young people. The media presence was quite strong but, from our own experience, we knew that many thousands of people would have loved to be there and that, through video and audio presentations, could at least feel part of what we were privileged to be present at.

The atmosphere was sad but not heavy or depressing - sombre but not downcast. We were gathered to pray in hope and in the confidence of faith that Br Roger made the centre of his life. There were many whispered conversations - though others were wrapped in their own thoughts and memories. Then, just before 2 p.m., the bells rang out, calling people to prayer. At a hidden signal, everyone stood and we became aware of four brothers carrying the coffin (casket) containing Br Roger's body through the centre of the assembly. Many made a sign of the cross as the group passed and a gentle wave of sadness flowed behind them as they drew near to the front and the coffin was placed in front of the altar.

Brothers returned to their places and an almost palpable sense of togetherness drew the people together - ready to pray - to give praise to God and to offer thanksgiving for the life and witness of Br Roger.

The first chant set the tone for the service, singing of the love, tenderness and forgiveness of God. (For an Order of Service, click here)

Br Alois, the new prior, welcomed everyone and closed his introduction with prayers - beginning with one for Luminita Solcan, followed by prayers for the Romanian people before going on to entrust Br Roger to God. (His address can be found here).

Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Unity of Christians, presided at the Mass but began by speaking of Br Roger as one of the great spiritual leaders of our time and of how our grief is being transformed into hope. (His remarks can be found here).

The funeral was as anyone who has been to Taizé would have expected it to be: simple, dignified and beautiful. Readings and prayers were translated - and everyone listened in patience to words they did not understand, knowing that they were speaking to the hearts of others. Songs were sung with an awareness of the power of the words - taking our prayers ever more deeply into the Mystery of Life and Death and Resurrection at the heart of our faith. Movement was done with dignity and without rush or fuss - it was as if all was held in a great embrace which held everyone and everything safe... despite the pain and sorrow, all was well.

Communion at Taizé is a daily miracle - but never more so than at the funeral where thousands of people received communion from an army of priests and monks - carefully stepping over the neat piles of belongings to go to a distribution point nearby. Particularly poignant for us was the giving of Communion to a group of disabled people a few rows away from us. People around them realised that there was no way that their wheelchairs could be manoeuvred through the crowds and so, when they went for Communion asked the brothers if they could take the Host back to them. The reverence with which they carried the Host to the waiting people - and the love and tenderness with which they gave the Body of Christ to them was intensely moving... not helped by the chant being sung at the time: In manus tuas, Pater, commendo spiritum meum... Into your hands, Father, I commend my Spirit.

The prayers of commendation were sung by two priests from the Orthodox Church and were accompanied by the lighting of individual candles throughout the church. As is the custom in Saturday Evening Prayer in Taizé, children took light from a single source and distributed it so that the church gradually took on the appearance of being starlit. It was through this galaxy of stars that four of his brothers carried Br Roger's coffin. Young people close by reached out to touch the coffin in farewell - and this was the time for tears - never effusive or hysterical - but expressive of love and tender goodbye as this kind-hearted man left his church for the last time at the end of a very long life.

All were invited to follow the procession to the cemetery - but the burial was rightly private - a final time of intimacy for the brothers with their spiritual father who, at the same time, managed to be a brother among brothers.  

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