The Synod on Synodality is a multi-year process of spiritual discernment consisting of listening and dialogue throughout the Universal Church
The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops has invited Catholics to participate in a worldwide moment of prayer on May 31, 2023, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for the upcoming first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
Locally, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez encourages all the clergy and faithful to consider a Marian Devotion to take place in churches and chapels throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, especially in shrines, churches, and chapels dedicated to the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These devotions may include the Holy Rosary, the Angelus and/or other Marian prayers before or after Holy Mass for the intention of the Synod.
In addition, a special intention to be included in the Universal Prayer was provided to all parishes of the Archdiocese to use on that day.
For the provident blessing of Almighty God on the preparation efforts
for the upcoming Synod of Bishops,
that, with the prayers of the Blessed Virgin May, the Word and Way of Jesus
will be deepened in all the members of the Church,
Let us pray to the Lord/Lord, hear our prayer.
Contextual Background
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, opened the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on October 17, 2021.
Called for by Pope Francis, the Synod on Synodality is a multi-year process of spiritual discernment consisting of listening and dialogue throughout the Universal Church. The Holy Father called on Catholics around the world to reflect on the theme of “Communion, Participation, and Mission” in the context of the life of the Catholic Church.
The Synod provides an opportunity for serious reflection and action to deepen an understanding of the role of all the members of the Church, journeying together with Christ as our Head, in living the Gospel in our time.
In Fall 2022, the Archdiocese released its official summary of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality which encapsulated the work of the Synod throughout the five-county Philadelphia region.
As part of the synodal process, that information was shared with other dioceses in the region as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which published the U.S. National Synthesis.
To read the official summary of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality, please click the dedicated link below.
https://archphila.org/synodality-summary/
In April 2023, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released the official summary of North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The document, along with the contributions of the six other Continental Assemblies, will form the basis of the Instrumentum Laboris to be released by the General Secretariat of the Synod in June 2023.
To read the North American Final Document for the Continental Stage in English, please click the here. For Spanish, please click here.
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Editor’s Note: To learn more about the Synod on Synodality and its implementation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://archphila.org/synod/.
Contact: Alaina N. Longo
Deputy Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)