Last year at this time, Pope Francis launched a worldwide preparation process for the Synod of Bishops to open today, October 4, in Rome.

It is a gathering, over a three-year period, to which Pope Francis has invited not only Bishops, but a significant number of priests, sisters, lay women and men, to join him in an ongoing reflection on our call as Church to “enlarge the space of our tent”, as we commit ourselves to build a church rooted in “communion, participation, and mission.” It will be a time of profound listening to the movement of the Holy Spirit, at work in each of the participants, and in the experiences of all those who have courageously shared their journeys in the synodal gatherings held all over the world these past two years. 

From Oct. 4-29, we can respond to the Pope’s calling to all faithful to take part in discerning the path forward for the Church.  One of the ways of responding is through the recitation of the Synod Prayer daily: 

“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”.  Amen. 

To learn more about the synod, visit: https://www.synod.va