SYNOD ON SYNODALITY, ROME, OCTOBER, 2024
SYNOD ON SYNODALITY, ROME, OCTOBER, 2024
Today, with the Holy Mass presided by Pope Francis, begins the second part of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality. The first part took place in 2023 from October 4-29.
SYNODALITY, the practice of collective decision-making within the Catholic Church, has its roots in the early Christian community. Pope Francis however has given it prominence in recent years in his bid to emphasize the importance of prayerful listening to the Holy Spirit and to the voices of all segments of the faithful in decision-making processes.
Participants (reprsenting lay men, women, youth, catechists, delegates from other Churches, deacons, religious, priests, bishops, archbishops, Cardinals) started arriving Rome on the 28th of September followed by a two-day spiritual retreat . A moving penitential service took place yesterday evening, 1st October, during which all asked God for forgiveness for sins against Him and offences committed against innocent children and vulnerable persons especially by some members of the clergy.
We are called to prayer, especially the over 1.3 billion Catholics in the world for the success of this Synod on how to be a missionary synodal Church. Your personal prayers are requested for the synod members to walk together within the Apostolic Tradition without ignoring the Holy Spirit to guide their hearts and minds throughout this very important universal ecclesial event.
