As the first part of the Synod of Bishops draws to a close this Sunday, October 29, the assembly, which has been meeting for almost four weeks in the Vatican, wanted to address a word to the whole Church.
The "Letter to the People of God". released on Wednesday, October 25, by the Holy See Press Office - was drafted by the commission that prepares the synthesis of the Synod, which will be presented on Saturday morning and voted on in the afternoon.
The missive states: "...we want, with all of you, to thank God for the beautiful and rich experience that we have just lived", specifying that it is carried out "in deep communion with all of you", "supported by your prayers", carrying your expectations, questions and also your fears.
The letter recalls that "two years have already passed since, at the request of Pope Francis, a long process of listening and discernment was initiated, open to all the people of God, excluding no one in order to "walk together", under the guidance of the Holy Spirit".
He notes the "unprecedented experience" that the synod signifies, as "men and women, by virtue of their baptism, were invited to sit at the same table to take part not only in the discussions, but also in the voting of this Assembly of the Synod of Bishops,".
Using the method of conversation in the Spirit," the missive states, "we have humbly shared the riches and poverties of our communities in all continents, trying to discern what the Holy Spirit wants to say to the Church today". The experience "will conclude with a synthesis document of this first meeting that "will clarify the points of agreement reached, highlight the open questions and indicate how to continue the work".
It is recalled in the letter that during the assembly there were exchanges with the Latin and Western Christian traditions, the context of a world in crisis, prayed for the victims of homicidal violence, "without forgetting all those whom misery and corruption have thrown into the dangerous paths of emigration" and following the invitation of the Holy Father "to silence, to encourage among us respectful listening and the desire for communion in the Spirit".
"We hope that the months that separate us from the second session, in October 2024, will allow - the letter reads - everyone to participate concretely in the dynamism of the missionary communion indicated in the word "synod". This is not an ideology, but an experience rooted in the Apostolic Tradition. As the Pope reminded us at the beginning of this process".
The document indicates that "the Church also needs to listen to the laity, women and men, all called to holiness by virtue of their baptismal vocation," to which must be added the witness of catechists, children, the enthusiasm of young people, the elderly, families, of those who wish to be involved in lay ministries, of priests, deacons, and by the prophetic voice of consecrated life, vigilant sentinel of the calls of the Spirit, being attentive to those who do not share their faith, but who seek the truth, and in whom the Spirit is present and active.
The letter concludes by recalling that the path of synodality is the path that God expects from the Church of the third millennium" and recalls that "the Virgin Mary, first on the way, accompanies us on our pilgrimage".
