Paris (France). From December 28 to January 1 2026, as every year since 1978, the “Pilgrimage of Trust on the Earth” was organized by the Ecumenical Community of Taizé. 15,000 young people from all over Europe gathered in Paris to celebrate the transition to the new year and experience the 48th European encounter of Taizé.
Parishes in the capital and of Île-de-France mobilized to welcome all these young people, and the Salesian parishes of Paris and Argenteuil also opened their doors. Thus, 80 young people were hosted by the families of the parish of St. John Bosco and 68 in Argenteuil. Several young people from the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) reached the capital to strengthen the choir or help with logistics, in order to better welcome everyone.
In Paris, at the Province headquarters of Notre-Dame des Nations (FRB), the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians welcomed 13 young people: four from Slovenia, six from Ukraine currently living in Germany, one from Portugal, and two young people from the France SYM. The time spent together in the evening or morning allowed FMAs to better understand and discover the realities experienced by young people in other Countries.
Poland, Ukraine, Norway, Portugal, Italy, Germany… There were many nationalities represented! To understand each other, English was very useful, but when it came to singing, the gift of languages seemed to manifest itself in each, discovering the ability to juggle between “V tebi je izvir življenja” (Slovenian), “Behüte mich, Gott” (German) or “Bóg jest miłością” (Polish). And the prolonged silence during the three daily moments of prayer allowed God’s Word to spread in hearts.
The diversity of places of prayer also allowed for a powerful experience. In the morning, prayer took place in the parish, in a more familiar atmosphere. At midday, one moved to the great Churches of Paris, becoming a sign and bearer of peace for tourists and Parisians. And being gathered for evening prayer at the Accor Arena in Bercy was a strong sign of unity for all.
On the night between 31 December and 1 January, a prayer for peace offered in various parishes was an opportunity to extend this powerful experience of unity, simplicity, and fraternity to the world.
Some testimonies from young people:
“Our experience of meeting Taizé and the Salesians was truly wonderful. The Salesian Family welcomed us as if we were already part of their family. They have been friendly, open, and caring in every circumstance, and truly embody the sense of a welcoming and inclusive community.” (Ana, Norway)
“The Taizé event really opened my eyes. During my time in Paris, I discovered new perspectives on Christianity, represented by different nations and cultures. Multilingual prayers and meetings in sharing groups have allowed me to deepen my understanding of faith, showing me different points of view on certain topics. They also allowed me to make friends with people from other regions of Europe. More importantly, I have learned that the only path to unity is through the acceptance of diversity.” (Joachim, Poland)
“Three of my friends and I decided to participate in the European Taizé Meeting in Paris. It was a first for all of us and we are very happy to have gone. The whole experience was unique and each day brought us something new. Among the highlights, we will keep in our memory the prayers shared in different Churches, as well as in our parish, where we were able to meet people from different Countries. We also celebrated New Year’s Eve in our parish, awaiting the arrival of the new year in prayer and silence with Jesus. We are very grateful for this experience and above all for the hospitality of the parish and all its members, including the Sisters who welcomed us into their home with smiles and enriching conversations.” (Zala, Slovenia)
“For my first European meeting in Taizé, Paris, the city where I studied, was the perfect opportunity to participate. I experienced the welcome of about 80 young people from 13 countries in my adopted parish, St. John Bosco. I participated in the animation of the morning prayer moments, trying to sing Taizé songs as correctly as possible. In addition to this service, I was able to participate in the moments of sharing in fraternity and in the workshops. The meeting was on several levels: among young people from different Countries, but also among Christians from different Churches. A rare opportunity to experience ecumenism on a large scale! Between laughter and reflection, between prayer and sharing, between moments in small groups and gatherings of 15,000 people in Bercy, I found a real balance in these four days. They brought me serenity, but also great joy. I come out of it with many prospects of commitment, thanks to meeting many associations whose action has great significance for me, and with the renewed desire to be a young believer, active in the world and supported by her faith! Thanks to all the organizers; you give us strength!” (Théa, France)
“My friends and I were welcomed by the parish of St. John Bosco. We received incredible hospitality and met very kind and admirable people. We have broken down the cultural barriers that separate us to create a diverse, yet united, group. From a spiritual point of view, Taizé opened the doors to a different, very introspective way of experiencing religion. The exchange in small reflection groups allowed us to discover many points of view and approaches to religion, which is very stimulating. We hope to see the people we met this year again in Łódź!” (Silvia, Italy)
“During the European Taizé Meeting in Paris, I was welcomed by the Salesian Sisters community, who hosted me in their home. From the very first moment I felt welcomed with great simplicity and warmth. Through small daily gestures, such as shared meals, dialogue, and a willingness to listen, I was able to experience a concrete form of the lived Gospel. This experience of hospitality was not only a practical support, but also a profound sign of communion, capable of overcoming differences in language, culture, and origin. In a European context often marked by distance and individualism, Taizé’s experience reminds us that encountering others is possible and necessary. Hospitality thus becomes a living testimony of hope, capable of building bridges and renewing trust in a more open, supportive, and fraternal Church and Europe.” (Maria, Portugal)
