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Walking with young people – Brother Matthew (Prior of Taizé)

On 10 June 2026, we held an online training session with one of Europe’s leading figures in walking with young people: Brother Matthew, Prior of the ecumenical community of Taizé. A community which for decades has been welcoming and accompanying young people from across the continent in the village of Taizé (France), as well as at the European meetings held at the end of each year in a different city across Europe. More than 180 people, linked to 20 Conferences of Major Superiors in Europe, registered for this online meeting; some to follow it live and others to watch it later.

Following an opening prayer, Brother Matthew spoke on the theme of ‘Walking with young people on the paths of faith and vocation’. In his words, he covered the following points: A Question That Stays With Us; Who Are the Young People We Are Accompanying?; On Being With, Not Just Doing For; The Question of Vocation; The Role of Community; On Suffering, Doubt, and the Dark Passages; The Inner Life as Foundation; Vocation in the World; Accompanying Rather Than Directing – the importance of listening; The Church as Home; Signs of Hope; The Question That Remains.

We then had a session in language groups (some in Italian and others in English) to highlight ideas, ask questions and share best practices for working with young people.

Afterwards, we heard some reflections on Pope Leo XIV’s words to young people during his recent visits to Monaco, various African countries and Spain. A summary was also shared of a ‘best practice’ initiative carried out at the Youth Jubilee last summer. ‘Live MCP_together’ consisted of two simultaneous gatherings of young people and consecrated persons, featuring music (M), conversation (C) and prayer (P), including vocational testimonies, held concurrently in two basilicas in Rome: the Franciscan Basilica at the Lateran and the Salesian Basilica at Termini. Around 1,000 people from 10 countries took part, brought together by various “National Representatives” linked to this UCESM_VAN network.

 

 

Whilst listening to these reflections and examples of good practice, the speaker was able to formulate a response to the questions posed by the groups, which he then shared. We are grateful for his reflections and for his encouragement to walk alongside young people, sharing in their quests and offering ourselves as companions on the journey.

With a closing prayer, we brought this meeting to a close, grateful for what we had received and shared.

The content of this training meeting can be viewed via the following links: