A Pilgrim’s Adventure: Rome and Synodality, Day 2 by Patricia E. Clement, D.Min.

In my first reflection, I shared how the Holy Spirit can appear at unexpected moments, upend your plans, and set you on a whole new course—often with a surprising group of companions along for the ride.

Think of Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring or Dorothy’s friends in The Wizard of Oz: a band of unlikely travelers, sometimes at odds, yet each essential to the journey. Synodality is much the same. It’s about walking together, allowing the Holy Spirit to choose the companions, the path, and the goal. Our task is to trust—and keep walking.

So here I am in Rome, representing the Pentecost Vigil Project, a small nonprofit that has followed the Synod since 2021, creating free resources to help American parishes introduce synodality to their communities. And somehow, we’ve brought together 14 pilgrims for the Jubilee of Synodal Teams.

What’s remarkable is that only four of us are regular members of our organization. The other ten are a wonderfully diverse mix of people whose paths have mysteriously converged on this journey. Together, our group:

• Comes from seven states, representing every corner of the country.
• Belongs to nine dioceses—and only one of those dioceses has officially introduced synodality to its parishes.
• Includes five people with advanced theology degrees. One is ordained.
• Features four young professional mothers with a combined total of eleven children (their heroic husbands are holding down the fort back home).
• Welcomes two ecumenical representatives—a young Baptist pastor and his wife, a Scripture scholar. They have dedicated their lives to serve at-risk kids, and now lead a store-front church for inner-city youth. Over the years, they’ve adopted ten of those children into their family.
• Is made up half of ministry professionals, half of parish volunteers.
• And most of us are meeting in person for the very first time here in Rome.

Last evening, on the eve of the Jubilee, we gathered to share our stories, pray together, and prepare our hearts for what lies ahead.

One of our veteran members wondered whether these “newcomers” would have anything to contribute among the global theologians and leaders gathered here. But as I’ve come to know these pilgrims, I’m convinced their fresh eyes and open hearts are precisely what the church needs right now.

Pope Francis—and now Pope Leo XIV—have both emphasized that synodality begins with personal conversion. Before structures or strategies, it must take root in the heart. Those of us who have been living and promoting synodality for several years can easily get lost in logistics, canonical questions, and even church politics. Our new companions remind us of the wonder and simplicity of this call: to listen, to walk together, and to be surprised by the Spirit.

Today, the Jubilee begins—and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.

For now, our little band of pilgrims is living its own version of The Pilgrim’s Progress: one traveler is still searching for lost luggage; another misplaced her official event ticket; our gluten-free friend is navigating the pasta-heavy menus of Rome; and one devoted mother is figuring out how to overnight-ship breast milk to her baby back home. Meanwhile, the King and Queen of England have just arrived for their own visit. Since the king is the head of the Church of England, Pope Leo (and all of Rome) are abuzz with activity—and traffic near the Vatican is a complete standstill!

Through it all, I’m deeply grateful that the Holy Spirit is in charge—and that I’m simply along for the ride.

Please, keep us in your prayers! ♦

Dr. Patricia E. Clement, D.Min. is the president of the Pentecost Vigil Project, a non-profit online “One-Stop-Shop” of Synodality resources for American parishes.