May the Spirit grant us the grace to be synodal Fathers anointed with the gift of dreaming and of hoping. We will then, in turn, be able to anoint our young people with the gift of prophecy and vision. May the Spirit give us the grace to be a memory that is diligent, living and effective, that does not allow itself from one generation to the next to be extinguished or crushed by the prophets of doom and misfortune, by our own shortcomings, mistakes and sins. Rather may it be a memory capable of enkindling our hearts and of discerning the ways of the Spirit.
With these words Pope Francis on Wednesday Oct. 3rd kicked off in Rome the summit of bishops from around the world. The assembly is composed by 266 delegates, 23 experts and 49 auditors (among whom 34 young people) and will explore the theme of “Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment”.
The assembly, which will last until Oct. 28th, will follow three steps, as stated by the Instrumentum laboris: recognising, interpreting and choosing.
Recognising, because the Church wants to listen to the reality of the youth in the different continents, focusing on the main challenges posed by today’s world: family, intergenerational relationships, affectivity, sexuality, digital world and new languages, work, migration, discrimination.
Interpreting, because the Church wants to look at these challenges in the light of vocation and discernment; and to accompany young people in such an effort.
Choosing, because the Church wants to identify pathways for the necessary conversion in both personal and common life.
The Synod is an extraordinary moment in the life of the Church, one we – as Canossian family – want to look at with attention and sympathy, united in prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit.