Reflections on the synodal journey

Participating in the Jubilee for Synod Teams and Participatory Bodies in Rome was a moving experience of communion, prayer and listening at the heart of the universal Catholic Church.  Over several days, representatives from across the world gathered to reflect on what it means to walk together as a synodal church – one that listens deeply, discerns faithfully and responds courageously to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

The Jubilee opened with a prayer service and plenary session that set the tone for the days ahead. We heard reflections from the secretary general of the synod, Cardinal Mario Grech, and Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś of the Archdiocese of Łódź, Poland, among others. They spoke of the synod as not merely a meeting or process but a way of being church – one rooted in encounter, humility and co-responsibility. Their words invited us to see this Jubilee as both a time of renewal and recommitment to listening.

A highlight of the Jubilee was the encounter and dialogue with Pope Leo XIV. We listened as representatives from each region of the world shared updates on their synodal journey. Each offered a glimpse into the church’s life in their local context — the blessings they have experienced through greater participation and dialogue, and the challenges they continue to face in becoming a church that truly listens. After each regional update, the presenter had the opportunity to ask the pope one question. 

Pope Leo XIV received these questions with openness and pastoral warmth. He reflected that the synodal process is not about producing documents, but about learning to walk together differently. Through the dialogue, several recurring themes emerged. We were reminded that unity is not uniformity – that our diversity of cultures, languages and experiences is not a threat to communion but a reflection of it. Many also spoke of the need for radical listening – listening that goes beyond surface words to hear the voice of Christ speaking through others, especially those at the margins.  

The second day began with a Jubilee pilgrimage and passage through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, a profoundly symbolic act of grace and renewal. Walking together through that ancient door, shoulder to shoulder with fellow Catholics from every corner of the globe, reminded us that the path of synodality is itself a pilgrimage – a journey toward deeper communion and mission.  

The rest of the day unfolded in workshops and seminars, organized by language, where participants shared best practices and reflected on next steps. These sessions were rich in exchange, filled with honest dialogue and hopeful ideas about forming communities where discernment becomes a way of life.

That same evening included a Marian prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square – a beautiful, contemplative close to the day. We entrusted the fruits of the synod journey to Our Lady, who teaches the church how to listen and to ponder all things in her heart.

On Sunday morning, we joined the universal church for Mass at St. Peter’s presided over by Pope Leo. In his homily, the Holy Father, reflecting on the Gospel of the tax collector and Pharisee urged synod members and all the faithful to cultivate humility – to recognize that the church is most faithful when she acknowledges her need for God’s mercy. His homily captured the essence of the synodal spirit, namely, that unity is not the absence of conflict, but the fruit of charity and humility lived together. 

As the Jubilee concluded, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and was renewed in hope. To witness the church gathered from every nation, listening together, praying together and walking together was a powerful sign of what it means to be the people of God on pilgrimage. 

The synodal journey continues to unfold, but this Jubilee was a reminder that its deepest goal is not structural or dogmatic change, but spiritual conversion – a church ever more conformed to Christ, who walks with his people on the journey.

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