HONG KONG (UCAN): Many participants from mainland China enjoyed the spiritual experience of the Taizé Community’s August 8 to 12 International Meeting of Young Adults in Hong Kong.
 
They said they hoped to share Taizé’s spirit of pursuing unity and reconciliation with other young people.
 
Maria, from Zhejiang province in eastern China, did a month of volunteering in Taizé, France, in August of 2011.
 
“The volunteer life was colourful. I lived and worked in a big family for a month and I had friendships with those who had been living there for three to six months. I hope I will have a chance to participate again,” she said.
 
“In the past seven years, I have become a mother and have been working hard. As a result, my relationship with the Lord has gradually drifted away. I am eager to find a chance to slow down and let my mind release,” she continued, expressing her hope that the “journey of trust” in Hong Kong would help her to regain her confidence and reconcile with God.
 
Maria said the burst into tears when she heard the Taizé songs during evening prayers on the first day.
 
“Many people were touched by a sister’s religious experience. Everyone’s faith story was different but the enlightenment was also very special. Thanks to the Lord’s amazing guidance, we could know each other and be like a family,” she said.
 
Joseph Ho, a Catholic from Hebei province in northern China, told the Kung Kao Po that he hoped to deepen his faith through the Taize meeting.
 
“When I was a child, my parents took me to church. When I grew up, I would ask questions about my faith,” Ho said. He asked himself three questions at the meeting: “What do I desire in faith? How to hear the voice of the Lord in the secular world? When I obey the Lord, what will change in my life?”
 
Ho said that even though religion faces suppression in China, maintaining inner peace can encourage him to stick to his faith. “Taizé prayers can bring out unity and reconciliation so that I can listen to God’s voice more,” he said.
 
Peter, a college student from Shaanxi province in northwest China, took a 36-hour train journey with seven friends to attend the meeting.
 
He told the Kung Kao Po that they cherished this opportunity and would take the experience of Taizé back to their parishes to share with other young people and pass on the pursuit of unity and reconciliation.