At the conclusion of the Synod in October, Pope Francis chose to make the Final Document part of the church’s magisterium. This presents us with a unique opportunity: a document “cowritten” by the people of God has taken on teaching authority. If we can collaborate from the ground up to produce a blueprint for the synodal church, can we do the same to conceive of its implementation?

This is the guiding question we’ll be asking in our “Lenten Synodal Practice” over the next few weeks. Beginning March 12, join us on Wednesdays at 1pmET to read the Final Document together and reflect on where it’s leading us individually and as a church. In the absence of concrete directives from Rome, the insight of the lay faithful is essential to continue opening the “synodal path” and developing a long-term synodal spirituality.

We will plan to meet for five sessions, with each session devoted to one part of the document. Sessions will last approximately 40 to 60 minutes and will follow the “Conversation in the Spirit” model. We will also aim to contribute a public submission to the Synod’s working groups, per the invitation of the General Secretariat of the Synod. Registration is required and is available at the link below. Note that registrants are not obligated to attend all five sessions—feel free to join us whenever you can! For additional information, please contact editor@todaysamericancatholic.org.

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