Before knowing the meanings of the Taize Cross, You should know that it is the icon of the Christian ecumenical community. Founded in 1940, by Roger Schutz, in the village of Taize, located in France, Burgundy, whose meaning is linked to the eternal life.
For brother Roger, as he was also known, the church must be one body, as way to get to Jesus. The temple must represent Christ and the gospel. To love Christ is to go to his reunited church.
Philosophical and theological postulates are usually represented with symbols that define and express the idea. Usually they are associated with faith and spirituality.
To determine if the Taize Cross responds to the catholic Postulates, It is necessary that we know a little about the history of this community, whose purpose is the unification of the currents that profess Christianity.
Origin of the ecumenical community of Taize
Roger Schutz was a Protestant theologian who, in 1940, settled in Taize with the aim of founding a community based on the reconciliation and reunification of Christianity, motivated by the study of the gospel.
Established in a house that he acquired with the consent of his father, he began to lead an austere life with his younger sister, who helped him in his mission. He dedicated himself to sheltering and helping people who They were fleeing the German occupation.
He prayed alone, in his room or in the spaces of the house, where he would not disturb the others. Jews hiding there.
This he asked the rest of the refugees, invited them to pray without disturbing practitioners from other religions.
He had to go back to Switzerland to ward off persecution for the activities he did. He returned two years later, when the Second World War ended and, furthermore, France was liberated.
On his return, he was accompanied by three friends: Max Thurian, Pierre Souvairan and Daniel de Montmollin, with whom he had begun a life in community and prayer in Switzerland. More and more people and collaborators would join this practice.
For 1949, on Easter, Brother Roger, together with his closest collaborators, among them the Max Thurian brothers, concretize his delivery to theto life in community, to celibacy and austerity.
Meanings of the Taize Cross
The Taize Cross represents light and resurrection peace, from there the cross is used as a symbol of life. Its gold background indicates it. It is the representation of Jesus the savior.
The face of Jesus is observed, although exhausted and afflicted, full and at peace, expressing with this countenance his passage to eternity, to the encounter with God the Father.
Representation of eternal life on the Taize cross
At the top of the Cross, is represented an angel looking at the face of Jesus, symbolizing that every being that inhabits the universe, in heaven or on earth, bows down and recognizes the savior.
To the right of the savior, we find his mother the virgin mary, who was the first to receive the son of God. The Blessed Virgin represents maternal love. Her mercy accompanies all men on earth.
On the left, John the Evangelist is seen, who is represented holding a book of Holy writings. According to the postulates, the Christian ecumenical community, the gospel summons us to the resurrection.
Teachings of the ecumenical community of Taize
The ecumenical community of Taize, in its search for reconciliation and reunification of the Christian faith, preaches with practice, life in Jesus through humility and austerity, with which Jesus son lived among men.
The postulates of life in communion and the meanings of the Taize Cross are summarized in three fundamental aspects: work and restsilence and meditation, joy, mercy and austerity.
The desire of the ecumenical Christian community remains the unity of the churches who venerate Christ, of those who profess love for
Brother Roger was absolutely opposed to any form of division of Christianity.