More than simply responding to a questionnaire, the diocesan phase is meant to offer as many people as possible a trulysynodalexperienceof listening to one another and walking forward together, guided by the Holy Spirit. What kind of feedback/response is expected in the diocesan synthesis? How does the Church dialogue with and learn from other sectors of society: the spheres of politics, economics, culture, civil society, and people who live in poverty? Pilgrimages, group activities, artistic expressions, and even coffee breaks can help to foster a sense of community through the experience of sharing life with one another. As we are called to embrace this synodal path of the Synod 2021-2023, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to operate within us so that we may be a community and a people of grace. Ultimately, the diocesan phase involves similar ingredients as the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, such as the one that will occur in Rome in October 2023. Prayer for the Synod: Adsumus Sancte Spiritus. Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the Latin original meaning, We stand before You, Holy Spirit, which has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, being attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 4 April 636). Who speaks on behalf of the Christian community, and how are they chosen? In one sense the Holy Spirit is wholly beyond reach of man; man makes no contribution to Him or to his grasp of Him (Jn 3:8). Rather, it is welcoming what others say as a way by which the Holy Spirit can speak for the good of all (1 Corinthians 12:7). While recent Synods have examined themes such as the new evangelization, the family, young people, and the Amazon, the present Synod focuses on the topic of synodality itself. . It begins with a . If listening is the method of the Synodal Process, and discerning is the aim, then participation is the path. It is contrary to the spirit of synodality to antagonize others or to encourage divisive conflicts that threaten the unity and communion of the Church. So too all the clergy, endowed with the sacred gifts and charisms received through their ordination, have a critical role to play in ensuring that this synodal experience is an authentic encounter with the Risen Christ, grounded in prayer, nourished by the celebration of the Eucharist, and inspired by listening to the Word of God. Episcopal conferences and synods of Oriental Churches are called to discern and assemble this wider synthesis through a Pre-Synodal Meeting of their own. In this sense, priests and deacons have a crucial role to play in accompanying the entire People of God on the path of synodality. I/1, p. 159. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Together, they can prayerfully discern. Prayer for Synod on Synodality 2021-23 Posted January 5, 2022 We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. As a good shepherd for his flock, the Bishop is called to go before the People of God, to stand in their midst, and to follow behind, ensuring that no one is left out or gets lost. The Bishop also has a role in encouraging the involvement of diverse groups and individuals so that the Synodal Process can be a truly collaborative effort, drawing on the wide participation of the faithful and reaching the full diversity of the People of God: priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and the laity. Our humble efforts of organization and coordination are at the service of God who guides us on our way. Synod 2021-2024: For a Synodal Church - Diocese of Davenport The ministry of Jesus shows us that no one is excluded from Gods plan of salvation. They can be convened as an advisory and working body for the Diocesan Contact Person(s). As stated in thePreparatory Document(no. Finally, the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held in Rome in October 2023. All of us are called in virtue of our Baptism to be active participants in the life of the Church. Preparing and submitting the diocesan synthesis. The feedback received from these local gatherings will then be compiled in an overall synthesis at the diocesan level. oReaching out through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue:To dream together and journey with one another throughout the entire human family. The contribution of the participatory bodies of the [local] Churches is specifically requested, especially that of the Presbyteral Council and the Pastoral Council, from which a synodal Church [can truly] begin to take shape.[4]Equally valuable will be the contribution of other ecclesial entities to which thePreparatory Document[and thisVademecum] will be sent, as well as that of those who wish to send their own contribution directly. Appendix D provides a suggested outline. How are evaluations conducted and by whom? We are all interdependent on one another and we all share an equal dignity amidst the holy People of God. Being a synodal Church finds expression in ecumenical councils, Synods of Bishops, diocesan Synods, and diocesan and parish councils. Source: https://www.synod.va/en/documents/adsumus.html, Tel: 0222202 1093|022 22021193|022 22021293. Hence the Synodal Process is no longer only an assembly of bishops but a journey for all the faithful, in which every local Church has an integral part to play. The Unions, the Federations and the male and female Conferences of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life consult the Major Superiors, who in their turn may approach their own Councils and other members of the Institutes and Societies in question. We must personally reach out to the peripheries, to those who have left the Church, those who rarely or never practice their faith, those who experience poverty or marginalization, refugees, the excluded, the voiceless, etc. By "tongues" they usually mean language that is unintelligible to others and, perhaps, even them. On a regular basis, the Bishop should meet with the Diocesan Contact Person(s) to review progress of the consultation and address any challenges faced. We stand before You, Holy Spirit, To "pray in the Spirit" is to pray to God in the faith the Holy Spirit has created in the heart. The diocesan synodal team can work through coordinators to carry out the synodal consultation meeting across the diocese. TheInternational Theological Commission (ITC) describes synodalitythis way: Synod is an ancient and venerable word in the Tradition of the Church, whose meaning draws on the deepest themes of Revelation [] It indicates the path along which the People of God walk together. Prayer of invocation to the Holy Spirit for an ecclesial assembly of governance or discernment (thus synodal) We do so by listening together to the Word of God in Scripture and the living Tradition of the Church, and then by listening to one another, and especially to those at the margins, discerning the signs of the times. Several parishes can join together, as well as ministries such as pastoral health care or Catholic education, religious communities, lay movements, and ecumenical groups. All coordinators will need to be briefed on the spirit, objectives, and attitudes of the Synodal Process, and should have access to relevant resources including thisVademecumand the Synod website. Resources needed for the consultation process should be identified and made available, including an overall budget, physical facilities, and online platforms. What enables or hinders speaking up courageously, candidly, and responsibly in our local Church and in society? Appendix B provides an outline of how a typical synodal consultation meeting can be conducted. 31): The purpose of the first phase of the synodal journey is to foster a broad consultation process in order to gather the wealth of the experiences of lived synodality, in its different articulations and facets, involving the Pastors and the Faithful of the [local] Churches at all the different levels, through the most appropriate means according to the specific local realities: the consultation, coordinated by the Bishop, is addressed to the Priests, Deacons and lay Faithful of their [local] Churches, both individually and in associations, without overlooking the valuable contribution that consecrated men and women can offer (EC, 7). There is no hierarchy between them. On the Churchs path of synodality, these participatory bodies on the diocesan level can prove fundamental, and from here a synodal Church can begin to emerge (EC, 7). Together, we are inspired by listening to the Word of God, through the living Tradition of the Church, and grounded in thesensus fideithat we share. All Rights Reserved. Setting aside the mirage of self-sufficiency, we are able to learn from each other, journey together, and be at the service of one another. Almighty God, you have given your Holy Spirit to the church to lead us into all truth. Thus the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested in manifold ways in and through the entire People of God. How is discernment about missionary choices made and by whom? Prayer for the Synod Prayer for the Synod As we embrace this Synodal Process, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to be at work in us so that we may be a community and a people of grace. We aim to be attentive to how the Spirit speaks through the People of God. We encourage you to take useful ideas from this guide, but also to have your own local circumstances as your starting point. This first stage of the Synodal Process provides the foundation for all the other phases that follow. 4.2 The Role of the Bishop in the Synodal Process. Listening to the entire People of God will help the Church to make pastoral decisions that correspond as closely as possible to Gods will (ITC,Syn., 68) The ultimate perspective to orient this synodal path of the Church is to serve the dialogue of God with humanity (DV, 2) and to journey together the kingdom of God (cf. In virtue of this catholicity, each part contributes its own gifts to other parts and to the entire church, so the whole and each of the parts are strengthened by the common sharing of all things and by the common effort to achieve fullness in unity (LG, 13). These basic ingredients of synodality can be easily adapted to your local circumstance to foster a fruitful synodal experience in your local Church, keeping in mind the principles, attitudes, and pitfalls outlined above in Part 2. Sign up below to receive regular updates from the Archdiocese of Omaha. An inter-parish organizing team can be formed. as we gather together in Your name. The communion we share finds its deepest roots in the love and unity of the Trinity. The Prayer materials, biblical reflections, and sacred music, as well as works of art, poetry, and so on, can also be used to stimulate reflection and dialogue. "Dear friends: I've been traveling all day so haven't had time to respond to all the kind wishes on the Holy Father's invitation to participate in the @Synod_va. Through the Synodal Process, God leads us on the common path of conversion by what we experience with one another. The synthesis should pay special attention to the voices of those who are not often heard and integrate what we could call the minority report. The feedback should not only underline positive experiences but also bring to light challenging and negative experiences in order to reflect the reality of what has been listened to. The General Secretariat of the Synod may identify other forms of consultation of the People of God. Synodal listening is oriented towardsdiscernment. The Holy Spirit works through all the generations of disciples who hear Gods Word and put it into practice. In this way, episcopal conferences and the synods of Oriental Churches can in turn provide a synthesis to the Synod of Bishops. Each diocese can discern the most conducive ways of enabling a Spirit-led synodal experience for its people, paying particular attention to those whose voices have not been heard in the past. To facilitate the subsequent phases of the Synodal Process, it is important to condense the fruits of prayer and reflection into a maximum often pages. In parishes, small Christian communities, lay movements, religious communities, and other forms of communion, women and men, young people and the elderly, we are all invited to listen to one another in order to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who comes to guide our human efforts, breathing life and vitality into the Church and leading us into deeper communion for our mission in the world. Amen. As we are called to embrace this synodal path of the Synod 2021-2023, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to operate within us so that we may be a community and a people of grace. Religious communities, lay movements, associations of the faithful, and other ecclesial groups are encouraged to participate in the Synodal Process in the context of the local Churches. Teach us the way we must go We can build bridges beyond the walls that sometimes threaten to separate us age, gender, wealth, ability, education, etc. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Bishop can discern the most fruitful processes for listening to the People of God in his diocese, along the path of synodality undertaken by the entire Church. As we embrace this Synodal Process, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to be at . Pope Francis made this clear when he issued adirect invitation to all the People of Godto contribute to Church efforts towards healing: every one of the baptised should feel involved in the ecclesial and social change that we so greatly need. oListening to each and every one:By learning from one another, we can better reflect the wonderful multi-faceted reality that Christs Church is meant to be. What are the places and means of dialogue within our local Church? A synodal Church walks forward in communion to pursue a common mission through the participation of each and every one of her members. It is not a mechanical data-gathering exercise or a series of meetings and debates. The goal of these syntheses, at any level, is not to produce a generic summary of everything that was said or to carry out an academic exercise. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Participation: A call for the involvement of all who belong to the People of God laity, consecrated and ordained to engage in the exercise of deep and respectful listening to one another. Vatican launches prayer website 'to accompany' Synod on Synodality In creating the opportunity for listening and dialogue on the local level through this Synod, Pope Francis is calling the Church to rediscover its deeply synodal nature. Some examples of activities that can be done together include a pilgrimage, social or charitable outreach, or simply sharing a meal with each other. Bishops initiate the process, so it is likely that involvement at the diocesan level will be coordinated through the regular communication channels of the diocesan Bishop. It can be very helpful to share a common activity before starting to meet and dialogue with one another. The unfolding of the Synodal Process at a local level must also involve: Discernmentthrough listening, to create space for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These documents are to be applied differently in diverse contexts, depending on the current realities and challenges in the local Church and in society, as well as any concurrent or recent synodal processes occurring in the diocese. Title revised from Latin, to have a proper incipit, different from the Adsumus Dominus Sancte Spiritus. How do prayer and liturgical celebrations actually inspire and guide our common life and mission in our community? Some examples of publicity materials are provided on the website. The Second Vatican Council reinvigorated the sense that all the baptised, both the hierarchy and the laity, are called to be active participants in the saving mission of the Church (LG, 32-33). Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Gaudium et Spes(7 December 1965), ITC, Syn. Everyone listens to one other out of love, in a spirit of communion and our common mission. Thanks to the gift of the Spirit of the Risen Lord, they are to guard the place of Jesus, without replacing him: not to put filters on his presence, but to make it easy to encounter him (PD, 19). The path of synodality seeks to make pastoral decisions that reflect the will of God as closely as possible, grounding them in the living voice of the People of God (ICT,Syn., 68). 4) Thetemptation of focusing only on structures. John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15) (PD, 16). How can we take the next step in walking forward with each other? How do synodal bodies function at the level of the local Church (Pastoral Councils in parishes and dioceses, Presbyteral Council, etc.)? The Second Vatican Council highlights that all human beings are called to the new people of God (LG, 13). There are many ways by which we experience forms of synodality already across the Church. Accurate synthesesthat truly captures the range of critical and appreciative perspectives of all responses, including views that are expressed only by a minority of participants. Since the level of understanding and experience regarding synodality likely differs across the diocese, formation workshops can be provided to give people an orientation about synodality and equip them with basic skills for synodal processes. To help people explore this fundamental question more fully, the following themes highlight significant aspects of lived synodality (PD, 30). Stimulus questions are suggested in the Questionnaire below (Part 5) to initiate and facilitate this experience of sharing and listening. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your divine love . Appendix C provides suggestions for organizing this meeting. As mentioned above, individuals and groups are encouraged to participate in the Synodal Process through their local Church. Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the Latin original meaning, We stand before You, Holy Spirit, which has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, being attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 - 4 April 636). 5) Thetemptation not to look beyond the visible confines of the Church. by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Figure 1. For as the Council declares: The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the followers of Christ. We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. The episcopal conferences and synods of Oriental Churches will then submit this synthesis that they assemble to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, which will compose the first edition of the working document (Instrumentum Laboris)on the basis of what was shared and experienced at the local level.