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Thanksgiving service for Brother Roger of Taizė

February 7, 2006

During a memorial service for Brother Roger hosted in Edinburgh on January 22 by ACTS' Church
Life Network, this letter from Brother Roger’s successor, Brother Alois, was read by Elizabeth Templeton.

Dear Friends gathered in Edinburgh

In the name of our community of Taizė, I want to tell you how very touched we are that you are together to pray in memory of our Brother Roger.

He has opened a way for us with exceptional vitality and courage, and not just for us, brothers of the community, but for all those who loved him. His whole life long he spurred us to go forward and never to stop.  Now it is up to us to continue what he initiated.

One month after his death, an evening prayer in his memory was held at Taizė, and I would like to share with you a prayer we said then.

Holy Spirit,
even if our hearts have been saddened by the death of Brother Roger,
you come to console us.
May you be praised for the gift of his life.
The yes which h  expressed with his whole life now leads us to live from you for other people, and to let ourselves be filled with kind-heartedness.

Holy Spirit,
You allow each one of us, as you do Brother Roger,
To remain in communion with you, not just for a moment but for ever and into the life which never ends.

With my best wishes,

Amen