Chevetogne, Taizé, and the Groupe des Dombes

Since the mid-twentieth century, three institutions in the French-speaking world have been playing unquestionably important roles in ecumenism. The institutions here presented are, in chronological order of foundation, the Benedictine monastery of Chevetogne (Belgium), the Groupe des Dombes, and the Taizé community (France). The monks of Chevetogne, founded by Lambert Beauduin, celebrate the liturgy, simultaneously in two chapels, in the Latin and Byzantine rites, in order to anticipate spiritually Christian unity in diversity. The Groupe des Dombes, founded by Paul Couturier, consists of French-speaking theologians, twenty Protestants and twenty Catholics. Theological reflection and common prayer are the two pillars of their work, emphasizing the conversion of the churches. Taizé, founded by Roger Schutz, is an ecumenical community, which seeks to be a ‘parable of communion’, inspiring a ‘pilgrimage of trust on earth’, especially among young people.