This is Part I of a New Synodality Series on Communal Discernment through Charisms and Spiritualities   

• Dates: September 30 & October 1, 2025
• Time: 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. (Rome)
• Format: Online only
• Link: CLICK HERE
• Speaker: Fr. Thomas Nairn, OFM

There is a Franciscan way of reading the traditional triad, See – Judge – Act: namely, Listen – Discern – Go forth. 

This approach can be traced back to Clare of Assisi’s letters to Agnes of Prague, where she calls her sister to: Gaze – Consider – Contemplate – Imitate.

Each of the two days of this Franciscan triad will focus on one element:

1. Listening
2. Discerning
3. Going forth

The Franciscan spirituality helps us see how these elements are authentically Franciscan while also enriching our understanding of synodality.
We invite you to join both sessions, as they will build on each other and culminate in shared reflection, using real examples and experiences.

Speaker:  Fr. Thomas Nairn, OFM 

Franciscan expert teacher and practitioner. Theologian in Catholic theological ethics, served as Provincial of his Sacred Heart Province (US), and accompanies many congregations in their discernment processes.  

Moderator:  Sr. Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, UISG Synodality Coordinator

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The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality speaks very strongly about the need for all the people of God to learn how discern, personally and communally. In consecrated life we discern through our particular charism and spiritualities, and this is important for all dimensions of community life and ministry.  We are also aware that the Holy Spirit also bestows many gifts, charisms and spiritualities, to consecrated life and to all the members of the Church. The charism is lived in consecrated life as by many others who find the particular charism living within them as well.  As the Spirit’s gifts are abundant and meant to serve, each of us can learn from one another’s charisms and ways of discernment. 

To begin to open up communal discernment across charisms and spiritualities, in 2025-2026 we will offer a series in which we will explore and experience how communal discernment is practiced through four different charisms/spiritualities.  

• 2025: 2 charism-focused series
• 2026 (first half): 2 charism-focused series

Each session will offer input on the charism and how discernment happens through the charism and then invite participants to look at different situations in their own ministries, lives and communities through the charism. There will be input, time for integration, and application for each charism and spiritual tradition.

Please share this announcement widely and join us!