To the Wellsprings of Joy" : Visit of Br Ghislain of Taize to Melbourne (2nd and 3rd April, 2004)

Brother Ghislain of Taize visited Melbourne on 2nd and 3rd of April. He led two events: a "Retreat in Daily Life" and "To the Wellsprings of Joy: a retreat for young people".

Brother Ghislain has responsibility for the territory of Asia and Australia. He first visited Australia in 1985, but since 1991 has been a regular visitor to Sydney and Adelaide. This is the first time he has led retreats in Melbourne.

Organised by the Victorian Council of Churches and co-sponsored by the Commission, the events of the two day visit were ecumenical in the best sense of the word.

On Friday 2nd April, three prayer sessions were held: one in the morning at Wesley Uniting Church, one at noon at Collins Street Baptist, and one in the evening at St Peter's Anglican Church. In all, about 200 people attended these quiet "retreats" during their daily working life.

Then on Saturday 3rd April, a group of about 30 people gathered to spend the day with Br Ghislain at the Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe. There, Br Ghislain led us in a day of reflection on "The Wellsprings of Joy". The day concentrated on times of singing and prayer, but also gave time for quiet reflection, using Brother Roger's Taize Letter for 2004.

Brother Ghislain will be returning to Melbourne again next year, and we hope to make this event a regular one. We are also trying (with the Victorian Council of Churches office) to build up a database of Taize style prayer groups in Melbourne. If you would like more information about Taize in Melbourne--or if you can help us with our database--please contact our office (details at the top of this page).

Photos from the Retreat on Saturday