INTRODUCTION TO THE SYNOD
Taking part in the Synodal Journey
As you know Pope Francis has invited every member of the Church to take part in a synodal journey leading to the Synod of Bishops he is holding later next year. The word “synodal” comes from a Greek word meaning “journeying together.” It recognises that the whole Church is on a pilgrim journey of faith together on earth until we meet the Lord face to face. Pope Francis is asking us to think about what this journey is like. He is asking us to prayerfully reflect on our experience of sharing in the life of the Church under three titles: communion, participation and mission. Over these next few weeks we will be invited to speak with one other about the life of our Church and as we listen to one another to discern what God is saying to us and where God may indeed be leading us into the future.
As you know Pope Francis has invited every member of the Church to take part in a synodal journey leading to the Synod of Bishops he is holding later next year. The word “synodal” comes from a Greek word meaning “journeying together.” It recognises that the whole Church is on a pilgrim journey of faith together on earth until we meet the Lord face to face. Pope Francis is asking us to think about what this journey is like. He is asking us to prayerfully reflect on our experience of sharing in the life of the Church under three titles: communion, participation and mission. Over these next few weeks we will be invited to speak with one other about the life of our Church and as we listen to one another to discern what God is saying to us and where God may indeed be leading us into the future.
PRAY - REFLECT - PARTICIPATE
PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat... are all of us. Just like those disciples, who spoke anxiously with one voice, saying “We are perishing” (v. 38), so we too have realized that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this.
- Pope Francis, Statio Orbis Homily, 27th March 2020
- Pope Francis, Statio Orbis Homily, 27th March 2020