An insight into the experience of the Synodal Assembly

22/11/2023

News

"An important dimension of synodality is to have more and more people involved as we move forward."
Sr. Mary Barron, OLA, UISG President

The joint UISG - USG meeting on "Synodality: a renewed call to the prophecy of hope" opened today in Sacrofano (Rome).

On this first day, over 250 women and men Superiors General had the opportunity to listen to the testimonies of the delegates of the two Unions to the Synodal Assembly of October 2023.

In the first part of the day, three delegates spoke, sharing their experiences regarding the Synod on Synodality: Fr Arturo Sosa (SJ), Sr Patricia Murray (IBVM), and Br Mark Hilton (SC).

Later that morning, Sr Mary Barron (OLA), Fr Mauro Giuseppe Lepori (O.Cist.), Sr Maria Nirmalini (A.C.), and Br Ernesto Sánchez (FMS) gave their reflections on the content of the Synod.

Sr Elizabeth Mary Davis, RSM, Fr Tesfaye Tadese, MCCJ, and Sr Elysée Izerimana, SDN Op., addressed the challenges they felt Consecrated Life is currently facing.
Concluding the talks on the first day of the joint meeting was Cardinal Robert Prevost.

During the meeting, personal experiences were shared and challenges and open questions were discussed that require ongoing reflection by the entire Church.
The participants of the Synod Assembly on Synodality did not limit themselves to recounting their experiences during the retreat period and at the working tables with the Holy Father. They also openly faced difficulties and, above all, shared their hopes.

Consecrated life, both male and female, demonstrated a concrete will to walk together, involving the entire People of God, especially the poor and those living on the margins of society.

The universal Church is thus committed to spreading the messages of faith that involve everyone.

The delegates and delegates of the two Unions (UISG and USG) gave the participants the opportunity to experience in the hall the methodology that was also adopted during the October Synod Assembly: Conversation in the Spirit, which involves deep listening as the key to discernment.

"The content of a Synod is hope, the container, a confidence shared by continuing to walk together," said Fr Mauro Giuseppe Lepori, O.Cist.