The Pope’s October 2024 prayer intention: For a shared mission
As the Church moves towards the Second Session of the Synod of Bishops (October 2024), Pope Francis asks us to pray that the Church “continues to support a synodal way of life, under the sign of co-responsibility, promoting participation, communion, and shared mission among priests, religious, and laypeople.”
THE SYNODAL PROCESS: STAGE 3
31 March 2023 Deadline for the submission of the Final Document of the seven Continental Assemblies
June 2023 INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS
4-29 October 2023 1st SESSION XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
October 2024 2nd SESSION XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops; How to be a missionary synodal Church
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
To each of them is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12: 4-7)
“Being God’s people is not a privilege but a gift that we receive, not for ourselves but for everyone. The gift we receive is meant to be given in turn. That is what vocation is: a gift we receive for others, for everyone.”
Although the Synod on Synodality is scheduled to end on October 27, a number of unresolved issues will continue well beyond that date. The process that Pope Francis started appears to be continuing, as evidenced by the fact that the conclusions of the ten working groups will be presented to the Pope at the end of June 2025. Pope Francis has stated time and time again that he wants the Church to adopt a "synodal way of being."
As this second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly Of The Synod Of Bishops meet to discuss “How to be a synodal Church in mission?” we pray that it is "an opportunity to be docile to the breath of the Spirit.”
The prayer 'Adsumus Sancte Spiritus', meaning, "We stand before You, Holy Spirit," (Prayer of Invocation to the Holy Spirit) opened each session of the Second Vatican Council. This prayer has historically been used at Councils, Synods, and other Church gatherings for centuries. It is said to have been written by Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 - 4 April 636).
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
“We must “pray” deeds and put prayer “to work”. In this way we will be in tune with the mission of the entire Church. This is also the essence of synodality, what makes us feel protagonists and co-responsible for the wellbeing of the Church, to know how to integrate differences and work in ecclesial harmony.”
Quotes from Pope Francis; The Synodal Journey Documents
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