• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese of the Military Services, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, delivers the homily during a special May 31, 2023, Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The Mass was celebrated to mark the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to pray for the October world Synod of Bishops in Rome. (OSV News photo/Patrick G. Ryan for the Catholic Standard)

Archbishop: Months leading to synod are times for faithful to live response to divine grace ‘more intensely’

June 1, 2023
By Richard Szczepanowski
OSV News
Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Synodality, World News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — The months leading up to the October world Synod of Bishops in Rome offer an opportunity for the faithful “to live more intensely our response to divine grace,” the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said May 31.

The time of preparation for the synod “reminds us the unique experience of Christ in the sacraments is a gift to be shared,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, the conference president.

“The knowledge of God obtained in our study, our prayerful attentive listening to the Word of God and the voices of others … is not self-serving, but pushes us forward,” Archbishop Broglio said in his homily at a Mass offered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington for the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory was the principal celebrant of the Mass.

Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory celebrates a Mass on the the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington May 31, 2023. (OSV News photo/Patrick G. Ryan for Catholic Standard)

The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who in her advanced age was pregnant with John the Baptist. Pope Francis requested that on this feast day, special Masses be offered at Marian shrines throughout the world for the synod.

“We come to this Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to join our prayer with those in Marian shrines throughout our nation and the world to beg the maternal protection of our mother for the deliberations of the general assembly of the Synod on Synodality,” Archbishop Broglio said.

The Synod of Bishops — bringing together bishops from around the world to meet and consult with the pope — will be held in two parts: the first from Oct. 4 to 29, 2023, and the second scheduled for October 2024. The Synod on Synodality, with the theme “communion, participation and mission,” is a three-year process of listening and dialogue held on local, national, continental and global levels. It began in 2021 and will conclude next year.

“We pray in this significant moment — united with the church throughout the world — to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to cover us with her mantle and to lead us forward,” Archbishop Broglio said.

More than 100 people attended the midday Mass that was concelebrated by Father Michael J.K. Fuller, general secretary of the USCCB, and Msgr. Walter Rossi, the shrine’s rector.

“Mary’s Shrine, together with the USCCB, is responding to the request” from the pope that “Marian shrines throughout the world today” celebrate “a moment of prayer” in preparation for the synod, Msgr. Rossi said. “We also invoke the intercession of Our Lady for the success of the synodal journey.”

Archbishop Broglio called the feast of the Visitation “a meeting of the Old and New Testament” because it was “the meeting of the protagonists in the final months before the birth of John and the birth of Jesus.” He said that the feast day also illustrates that “the discipleship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is missionary. She goes forth in charity to physically bring Christ to another. That is fundamental for us.”

“At the time of the visitation, the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life was just turned upside down — she was with child herself … she sets everything aside and responds to another,” he said. “She realizes an initial mission of the first Christian. She teaches us fundamental concern for the other. Her example is more important in our self-centered world than ever before.”

At the end of Mass, Cardinal Gregory led the faithful in a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit’s protection over the upcoming synod.

“Teach us the way we must go and how to pursue it … do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path,” Cardinal Gregory led the faithful in praying. “Let us find in you our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life.”

Read More Bishops

U.S. bishops, advocacy groups caution against government shutdown

Inside, outside: Synod to focus on the church and its role in the world

Bishops’ pro-life chair calls for ‘radical solidarity’ with pregnant, parenting women

Sietz: Jesus compels us to ‘respond with charity,’ address ‘coercive forces’ driving migrants

Transforming hearts, lifestyles, public policies will bring about ‘ecological conversion,’ bishops say

Upholding religious liberty must entail mutual respect, bishop says

Copyright © 2023 OSV News

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Richard Szczepanowski

Richard Szczepanowski is managing editor of the Catholic Standard in Washington, D.C.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Three more pro-life activists convicted on federal charges for blockade at abortion clinic
  • Cardinal Dolan: Are Sunday Masses just too long?
  • St. Maria Goretti High School faces uncertain future after difficult decision by archdiocese
  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors
  • Bishop Strickland will not resign, but says he will respect Pope Francis’ authority if removed

| Latest Local News |

Radio Interview: Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore awarded $2 million VA grant

‘The Following of Christ’: The ‘hidden’ book that helped make Mother Seton a saint

| Latest World News |

English police apologize to woman arrested for silently praying outside abortion facility

Papal commission incorporates global feedback in safeguarding guidelines

U.S. bishops, advocacy groups caution against government shutdown

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • English police apologize to woman arrested for silently praying outside abortion facility
  • Papal commission incorporates global feedback in safeguarding guidelines
  • U.S. bishops, advocacy groups caution against government shutdown
  • Para compensar todos los reclamos de abuso: la Arquidiócesis considera reorganización
  • Radio Interview: Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage
  • God has the same love for all, pope says at Angelus
  • Take leap of faith and dare to love your family, those in need, pope says
  • Biden establishes first White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
  • C.S. Lewis’ work continues to gain popularity 60 years after his death

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED