By Father Bernard Holzer, aa
The whole Church – all of us, each of us, Churchgoer or not - is summoned to a Synod. This journey, under the title "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission", will open solemnly on 9-10 October 2021 in Rome and o 17 October in each particular Church. The celebration of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in October 2023, will be a fundamental step.Pope Francis is inviting each of us to prepare for this next Synod and to reflect on the future of the Church. By listening to one another, and especially to those at the margins, we are invited to discern the signs of the times.
The whole Synodal Process aims at fostering a lived experience of discernment, participation, and co-responsibility, where a diversity of gifts is brought together for the Church’s mission in the world.
Let us be open to the call of our Bishop, our parish, the association we belong to to participate actively on this reflection.
Let us prepare ourselves by praying for this event.
Prayer for the Synod: Adsumus Sancte Spiritus
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.
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