by Jaison Soares from Kolkata (GA)

Mangalore, Oct 8: On Thursday October 5, it was as if all the roads were leading to Kolkata.  Young men and women from round the globe thronged to the town to participate in the Taize prayer meet which is being organized Brothers of Taize Community with the help of twenty difference parishes and local church parishes of Kolkata. The Community was invited by the CBCI Youth Commission and has been working in close collaboration with Catholic Archdiocese of Kolkata.

Mangalore diocesan ICYM youth representatives from central council and representing different parishes are participating in this historic event in Kolkata. Team of ten members of Mangalore diocese including ICYM president Jaison Soares, Karnataka regional representative Praveen Ferrao, Ashoknagar, vice-president Kevin D'Souza, Bajpe, joint secretary Kevin Misquith, Suratkal, auditor Jossy Pinto, Bantwal, Belthangady deanery secretary Anitha Moras, Moodbidri deanery secretary Godwin Menezes and other parish representatives including Babitha Fernandes, Ammembal, Avith Suratkal and Roshni Veigas, Bendur are participating in this International-level Taize meet from Thursday October 5 to Monday October 9.

These members set out their pilgrimage after meeting diocesan Youth director Fr Elias D'Souza and seeking blessings from Bishop Aloysius D'Souza of Mangalore.  On arrival in the Howrah and Sealdah districts of Kolkata, the participants, who have come from 35 different countries ranging from Mexico to Malaysia and from Germany to Japan, were directed towards twelve different welcome centres throughout the city, where they will be based throughout the meeting. More than 6,000 young people are attending this event.

The prayer meet "Pilgrimage of Trust is being led by Brother Alois, prior of Taizé and successor to Brother Roger.  In his inaugural speech Brother Alois said, ""We brothers wish to take up the challenge that Brother Roger left us, together with all those who are searching for peace across the earth. Yes, we want to look for ways of widening this pilgrimage of trust on earth to include many others. That is why we have come to Kolkata these days and why, later on, other meetings will be held on all the continents."

Kolkata has a very special place in the hearts of many of the Taizé brothers. In autumn 2006, it will be 30 years since Brother Roger first came and lived for a long time with Mother Teresa. Brother Roger was back again in 1997 for the funeral of Mother Teresa.

The meeting is a step along the "Pilgrimage of Trust" begun by Brother Roger and is intended to support young people in their search for God and their desire to commit themselves in the church and in society. The theme of the pilgrimage trust is "On the road of trust, towards a future of peace."