On Thursday, 14 September 2023, from 14:00 to 16:00, the first of a series of three meetings dedicated to reflection, dialogue and sharing on topics related to Synodality and the Synodal Assembly of October 2023 took place, both online and in presence.

The central theme of the meeting was "The Communion that Radiates". The session was divided into three main parts:

• a brief presentation and overview on Synodality and the Synod, 
• panel presentations by three speakers on the theme,
• an experience of Conversation in the Spirit among all the participants.
   

The meeting was opened by Sr Patricia Murray, IBVM, the Executive Secretary of the UISG, who welcomed the participants. She emphasized three words of great value for religious life and the whole Church on the way: vulnerability, courage and resilience.

Sr Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, coordinator of the UISG Synodal Commitment Initiative, moderated the session and offered an opening presentation. She offered background on synodality, context for the October 2023 Synod and five notable elements of the upcoming synod. In her opening remarks she stated that: "It is impossible to overemphasize the importance and profound nature of this time. Pope Francis is calling the entire Church to synodality, a continuation of the renewal ushered in by the Spirit in Vatican II.” Five notable aspects of the October 2023 synod process were in the areas of listening, participation, prayer, synod sessions and communal discernment. She also pointed out that, for the first time, about 26% of the voting members, including laity, clergy, religious, half of whom are women, will also participate as voting members in the Synod, together with the bishops.

Subsequently, the panelists addressed some of the questions we find in the first of of priority issues in the Synod Instrumentum Laboris, offering stimuli for the next phase of sharing in the language groups.

Instead of final conclusions, participants were invited to keep on "walking together". Brother Matthew, member of the Taize community, issued an invitation to all: an ecumenical prayer vigil will be held 30 September in Rome in the presence of Pope Francis and representatives of different Churches, with the aim of "uniting us in praise and silence, listening to the Word". The ecumenical prayer service will also be streamed online.

This event reflects the desire of Consecrated Life to be a Communion that radiates. 
It should be noted that this meeting will be followed by two others:  September 25 and 29. 

UISG Communication Office

Photo gallery of the event