The Process

The synodal journey is a process of listening to one another to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. First and foremost, this process is a spiritual process. It is not a mechanical data-gathering exercise or a series of meetings and debates.

It is a period of discernment where we listen to each other, to our faith tradition, and to the signs of the times in order to discern what God is saying to all of us.

This kind of discernment is not only a one-time exercise but ultimately a way of life, grounded in Christ, following the lead of the Holy Spirit and guided by the teachings of Christ Himself.

Prayer for the Synod: Adsumus Sancte Spiritus

Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, which can be translated as, “We stand before You, Holy Spirit”.  This prayer has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, and is attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 - 4 April 636). As we embrace this Synodal Process, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to be at work in us so that we may be a community and a people of grace. For the Synodal journey from 2021 to 2023, we propose to the following simplified version,[1] so that any group or liturgical assembly can pray it more easily.


 

We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.

All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever.
Amen.
 

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