Our Eyes are Turned

Author: Jacques Berthier

Berthier was born in Auxerre, Burgundy; both of his parents were musicians - his father Paul was the kapellmeister and organist at the Auxerre Cathedral. Learning first from his parents, Berthier was trained in music at the César Franck School in Paris. While there, he was taught by, among others, Edward Souberbielle and Guy de Lioncourt (whose daughter he married). In 1955 Berthier was first asked to compose music for the Taizé Community, which was then just a monastic community of twenty brothers. Six years later he became organist at the Church of the Jesuits in Paris, Saint-Ignace, where he worked until his death. In 1975, Berthier was again asked to compose for Taizé, this time for chants to be sung by the increasing numbers of youn… Go to person page >

Author: Communauté de Taizé

The Taizé Community is a community ecumenical based in Taize in France. Founded in 1940 by Brother Roger, it brings together a hundred brothers from around the world and have chosen to live together a life of prayer and celibacy in simplicity. The unity of Christian denominations and care for young adults are among the commitments of the Community since its inception. The Taizé Community was founded in Taizé in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz, with the goal of "building a life together in which the gospel of reconciliation would be a concretely lived reality" . During the war he helps people in difficulty and hosts German refugees. In 1942 , the Gestapo threatened to arrest brother Roger, who fled to Switzerland until the end of the w… Go to person page >