The Synod of Bishops 2018

Pope Francis will preside over the Synod of Bishops on – “Young people, Faith and Vocational Discernment”, scheduled to be from 3-28 October.  The discussions will focus on teenagers and young adults in the Catholic Church, to find ways to encourage their enthusiasm and dreams and help them sift through the possibilities to serve others thus finding meaning to their lives.

This Synod is said to bring together 300 cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay experts, including some 40 young people, formators and educators.

Addressing the pre-synod gathering in March, Pope said, the church and its members must reach out, ask what God wants of them and continually find new ways to respond to the hopes and needs of the world’s people.

Young people he said are the ones who can help the church fight “the logic of ‘it’s always been done this way’ ” which he describes as “poison, a sweet poison that tranquilizes the heart and leaves you anesthetized so you can’t walk.”

But to equip young people to take their rightful place in the church, church leaders must listen to them, be as honest as possible in responding to their questions and pass on to them the art of discernment.

So the keyword during the synod seems to be ‘listening’.  It will no doubt be an opportunity to learn together and discern together.

Let us pray that all the participants of the Synod may be open to the movement of the Spirit within each one and within one another.

POPE FRANCIS’ Prayer for Young People In View Of the Synod of Bishops 2018:

Lord Jesus, in journeying towards the Synod, your Church turns her attention to all the young people of the world. We pray that they might boldly take charge of their lives, aim for the most beautiful and profound things of life and always keep their hearts unencumbered. Accompanied by wise and generous guides, help them respond to the call you make to each of them, to realize a proper plan of life and achieve happiness.

Keep their hearts open to dreaming great dreams and make them concerned for the good of others. Like the Beloved Disciple, may they stand at the foot of the Cross, to receive your Mother as a gift from you. May they be witnesses to your Resurrection and be aware that you are at their side as they joyously proclaim you as Lord. Amen.