The Second Session of the Synodal Assembly will take place from Wednesday 2 October to Sunday 27 October 2024.
The purpose of this session will be to continue the work of the Synod on Synodality around the theme “For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.”
In December 2023, the General Secretariat of the Synod released a document titled “Towards October 2024,” which outlines the upcoming phase of the Synod.
This document details steps to be taken between now and the Second Session in October this year.
Thank you to everyone who sent in their responses to the Synodal question “How can we be a synodal Church in mission?” These responses have now been submitted to the Secretariat for collation.
Watch this space for developments on the Second Session in October.
The Journey So Far
7 March 2020: Pope Francis announces theme of XVI Synod of Bishops ‘For a synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.’
23 August 2021: Preparatory documents published.
10 October 2021: Pope Francis officially begins process of XVI Synod of Bishops.
October 2021 – August 2022: Diocesan phase.
– Diocesan submissions received (in New Zealand).
– Diocesan Synthesis Te Reo o Hewa, Our Dreams and Aspirations prepared.
7 July 2022: The National Hui held in Wellington. National Synthesis document prepared.
16 October 2022: Pope Francis announces two sessions of the Assembly.
5–9 February 2023: Oceania Assembly held in Suva, Fiji. Continental Synthesis prepared.
26 April 2023: Pope Francis announces 70 non-Bishop members to be included as full voting members of Assembly.
30 September 2023: Ecumenical Prayer Vigil held in Rome to pray for Synod.
1 October 2023: Opening Mass of Assembly.
1–3 October 2023: Retreat for Assembly participants.
4–29 October 2023: XVI Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
29 October 2023: Closing Mass.
October 2023: First Session of Synod ended with publication of Synthesis Report titled, ‘A Synodal Church on Mission’ – for ongoing discernment.
5 December 2023: Ordinary Council of Synod of Bishops adopted a document for the work to be engaged by the Catholic Church until the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2024).
11 December 2023: General Secretariat of the Synod releases new papal document ‘Towards October 2024’, about steps to be taken between December 2023 and the Second Session of the Synodal Assembly, October 2024, for whole Church to continue the Synodal journey. Churches asked to promote further consultation and prepare contributions for the Assembly in October, with focus on ‘how to be a synodal Church in mission?’.
3 February 2024: Vatican announced Synod on Synodality organisers inviting 300 parish priests to listening session in Rome, 28 April to 2 May, which will help shape next Synod Assembly discussions, and will include papal audience.
March 2024: Diocesan reports collated into national reports to be sent to Rome by 15 May 2024; will contribute to drafting of instrumentum laboris, Synod’s working document for second session.
Source: WelCom April edition
“We recall that the purpose of the Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, but “to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.”
Synod Preparatory Document, 32
