Synod 2023

The Synod on Synodality: A Spiritual Experience

Remember our parish listening sessions for the Synod in early 2022? With the completion of the diocesan listening phase, and national and continental conferences, the universal phase—the Synod meetings in Rome—has begun. The first session of the Synod (the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops) is being held October 4 - 29, 2023, and the second in October 2024.

Our own L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation, was in Rome and attended the Opening Mass for the Synod on October 4, 2023. On his return, he shared this reflection, The Synod of Synodality: A Spiritual Experience.

The Synod on Synodality: A Spiritual ExperienceDownload

Synthesis Report Published

Click below to read, in English or Spanish, "A Synodal Church in Mission: Synthesis Report," the report issued on October 28, 2023 - just before the closing of this phase of the Synod - by the members of the Synod Assembly.

Conversations in the Spirit at St. Matthew's

St. Matthew's is taking up Pope Francis' call to host "Conversations in the Spirit," toward becoming a synodal church. Beginning in December 2023, come for any of four opportunities, including one virtual, for conversation with fellow parishioners with a view to discerning what the church should do to better preach the Good News of God’s love.

Follow the Synod

Follow the work of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the following Vatican News social channels, and on the channels dedicated to the Synod (click below).

Vatican News Facebook
Vatican News - English YouTube
16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod Facebook
16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod Instagram
16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod X (Twitter)

Opening Mass

• Watch the Mass for the Opening of the General Assembly of the Synod on Wednesday, October 4, below.
• Follow along using the Opening Mass program.
• Read Pope Francis' homily.

Synod Retreat Meditations

Following the September 30 Ecumenical Prayer Vigil with Pope Francis, participants in the Synod attended a spiritual retreat (Sept 30 - Oct 3) before the October 4 opening Mass. Watch videos of the meditations given by the Synod's two spiritual assistants, with the full text accompanying, in these Vatican News articles:

Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP

• Hoping Against Hope (Sunday, 10/1)
• At Home in God and God at home in us (Sunday, 10/1)
• Friendship (Monday, 10/2)
• Conversion on the way to Emmaus (Monday, 10/2)
• The meaning of Authority (Tuesday, 10/3)
• The Spirit of Truth (Tuesday, 10/3)

Mother Maria Ignazia Angelini, OSB

• Reflection Sunday's Gospel (10/1)
• Reflection on Monday's Gospel (10/2), The Church Jesus Dreamed of
• Reflection on Tuesday's Gospel (10/3), His Face was Set

Additional Resources

• Official Vatican website on the Synod
• The Instrumentum Laboris
• Archdiocese of Washington Synthesis Synod Report

Conversation in the Spirit: Method

1. OPENING PRAYER
2. POSING THE QUESTION
3. INPUT
4. PERSONAL PREPARATION (Each prepares a sharing, a testimony in reply to the question)
5. SILENCE, PRAYER, LISTENING TO THE WORD OF GOD
6. TAKING THE WORD AND LISTENING (Each shares their testimony)
7. SILENCE AND PRAYER
8. MAKING SPACE FOR OTHERS AND THE OTHER (Each shares what resonated/challenged them the most; guided by the Holy Spirit each ask themselves: “When, listening, did my heart burn within me?”)
9. SILENCE AND PRAYER
10. BUILDING TOGETHER (Dialogue on the basis of what emerged to discern and gather the fruit of the conversation in the Spirit: “To what steps is the Holy Spirit calling us together?”)
11. FINAL PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let's continue to pray for a fruitful Synod.