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The singing continued long after the funeral - well over an hour. This happens after many liturgies in Taizé but this time it was especially poignant as it accompanied the procession to the cemetery. We were reluctant to leave the church and would have been happy to stay there until it was time to leave... but wanted to walk and perhaps visit the Atelier/ Exposition (it was to be our parish priest's 40th birthday and we thought it might be good to take him a gift from there). The shop was incredibly busy but it was good to look around and see what was new. Back at Oyek (the "refreshment centre"), we waited for the coaches and were amazed when they arrived to find that, as good as their word, Nuneaton Coaches had supplied us with filled rolls and hot soup! The journey back was uneventful - just very long. Most people had reached the over-tired stage and, though we had a few more fits of sleep, were very glad to arrive back in Victoria Coach Station. For us, the last lap was the train journey back - determined to stay awake and not miss the station! We came back with the same sense of unreality that we had left with. Had we really been to Taizé? Was it just a few hours ago that we had prayed at the funeral of Br Roger? Had we really said goodbye to Br Paolo just over 12 hours before in the coach park in Taizé? But we know it was real - and that we were in receipt of great providence in having the time and the means to go and be part of something profoundly moving and full of hope. It is a soul-memory - one that will endure into eternity - a pearl of great price. May Br Roger rest in peace and God's blessing be upon the Community of Taizé as they continue to build the vision of reconciliation and peace that they so generously share with countless thousands from around the world. |
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