St. Francis, Pope Francis and Synodality

Oct 6

Letter from the Pastor

Oct. 8, 2023

St. Francis, Pope Francis and Synodality

In Fr. John’s homily on the Feast of St. Francis, he highlighted the concept of “encounter” and how it changed St. Francis’ life. Fr. John specifically spoke about his encounter with the leper and how he meet/encountered Christ in the person who “when he was in sin seemed too bitter to see.” Fr. John also referenced other “encounters” that were significant in St. Francis’ conversion and fundamentally, his life with God: his encounter with the Sultan in Damietta, Egypt; with his brothers; and with the poor. None of these “encounters” were easy but they were places where St. Francis was able to meet Christ and be transformed into the Alter Christus, Another Christ.

This past Wednesday, October 4th, the day the Universal Church celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis officially convened the Synod on Synodality. The selection of the date was not an accident.

You may recall back in 2021 the parish hosted listening sessions in response to Pope Francis’ request to hear from the entire church. That was stage one of the Synod on Synodality.

The Church’s International Theological Commission states that synodality is how the church lives and operates “which reveals and gives substance to her being in communion when all her members journeying together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission.”[1] The Commission speaks of the desire to involve “the whole People of God in the life and mission of the Church.”

When commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Pope St. Paul VI’s institution of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis invited the entire Church to reflect on this theme of synodality. He said that it is “decisive” for the life and mission of the Church: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” He added, “By journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through Her experience which processes can help Her to live communion, to achieve participation, [and] to open Herself to mission."[2]

There has been some resistance to Pope Francis’ vision of Church. Perhaps the fear comes from the unknown. It seems to me, as a brother of St. Francis of Assisi, that Pope Francis is calling us to encounter each other on the journey. To listen to each other’s experience of God, Church, and the world. As was true for St. Francis, fear can very much be a part of encountering someone we do not know. Some of the fear may also be fear that things may change. Perhaps, but not all change is bad, and as we grow older, we all know that change is real, whether we like it or not. I do, however, harken back to my father’s advice when I was young, “If it is of God, it will last.” He, of course, was referring to the Act of the Apostles, “For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

If you would like to learn more about the synod, you can visit the Vatican Synod website: www.synod.va/en.html

You may also find synthesis and compilation of the many conversations that were held throughout the United States and Canada at, www.usccb.org/resources/North%20American%20Final%20Document%20-%20English.pdf

Let us continue to pray that the Holy Spirit, who is always present and active for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, inspire the participants of the Synod as well as all of us so we can encounter Christ on our journey.

May God continue to bless you and your families with Peace and All Good.