What is a Synod

What is a Synod and its purpose?

A Synod is basically an ecclesiastic council, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word synod comes from the Greek: σύνοδος [ˈsinoðos] meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin word concilium meaning "council". 

When was the first council?

The Church has been having “councils” or meetings to figure things out since the time of the Apostles. The first church council was the meeting that Paul had with Peter, James, and the Apostles to deal with the issue of circumcision for Gentile converts. That was the Council of Jerusalem, and it happened around 48 AD (see Acts 15).

Since then, every time the Church encountered an issue that required clarification, a council was held.

Do we know of any well-known councils? 

The most well-known are Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, Chalcedon, Lateran IV, Trent, and Vatican II. These were all called in order to respond to a crisis, heresy, or question, and as a result, doctrine was defined.

For example, the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 gave us the Nicaean Creed. It also: defined the divine nature of God the Son and his relationship to God the Father; defined the universal observance of the date of Easter, and promulgated early canon law.

The Council of Rome in AD 382 defined the complete list of canonical books of both the Old and New Testaments.

The Council of Trent (1545–1563) was a response to the Reformation. It affirmed the role and canon of Scripture and defined the seven Sacraments.

In total, the Roman Catholic Church has held 21 councils. These were referred to as “ecumenical councils”. That means that the voting members come from the whole world (from the Greek oikoumene, referring to the “whole inhabited world”).

The last council was the 2nd Vatican Council (1962–1965) which was called by Pope John XXIII, not as a response to any specific issue that needed to be defined but as a desire for the Church to relate to the modern world.

According to some opinions, the 2nd Vatican Council was probably the last Church council because the Church now has synods. (After Vatican II, Pope Paul VI established the Synod of Bishops, an advisory board to the Holy Father. Since then, the bishops meet in assemblies (synods) and make recommendations to the pope. Since 1967, there have been 16 ordinary synods, 3 extraordinary synods, and 11 special synods).

Further brief on Ordinary, Extraordinary and Special Assemblies (Synods)

Ordinary Assemblies: These are synods that deal with universal topics that are pastoral in character and contemporary. Most synods that we can recall from recent years have been ordinary:

2001 "The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST for the hope of the world"

2005 "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church"

2008 "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church"

2012 "New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith"

2018 “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”

Extraordinary Assemblies: These deal with more urgent matters. For this reason these are shorter and with fewer participants. The most recent extraordinary synod was the 2014 one dealing with the "pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization".

Special Assemblies: These deal with issues that are specific to a particular geographical area. There have been special synods for each continent of the world, Africa, America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. The most recent one was on the Pan-Amazon Region in 2019.

Further:

The next Synod of Bishops is on the topic of synodality. This synodal process began in October 2021 and will conclude in October 2023 and will be hearing more on this topic in forthcoming days.

Pope Francis is a big fan of the synodal process. 

Synods work because that word, “synod”, doesn’t just mean meeting or assembly. It also means "walking together". A good image to keep in mind is Jesus walking together with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

The most important thing that we have to remember about synods is that a synodal church is a listening church. A synod is a “walking with”, and that’s what we are called to do as Church.

At the end of the concluding address by Pope Francis from the 2015 Synod on the Family he said:

“To conclude the Synod means to return to our true 'journeying together' in bringing to every part of the world, to every diocese, to every community and every situation, the light of the Gospel, the embrace of the Church and the support of God’s mercy!”

Ultimately that is what we do as a Church: We meet people where they are in every place and in every situation. We walk with them, we listen to them, and then we try to do our best to bring to them the truth and the light of the Gospel, the good news! And then we continue to walk with them, through their joys and struggles, through their hopes and fears: We share with them Jesus himself, and then we let Jesus do the rest!

And so, a synod on synodality is really a synod about what it means to be Church.

(Synodality in the Catholic Church is a term "often used to describe the process of fraternal collaboration and discernment that bodies like the [Synod of Bishops] were created to express.")

• Sourced from various sites

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAYS 9

DAY 9

INTENTION

May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance. 

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

The Declaration of Independence boldly affirms that first among our inalienable rights is the right to life, given to us by the Creator. Yet despite being so solemnly proclaimed, the right to life is today threatened and often denied, particularly at the moments when life is most fragile. Our laws should—first and foremost—protect life. But “our highest Court does not recognize children in their mothers’ wombs as persons and claims that abortion is a constitutional right. Further, many political leaders work actively to increase access to abortion. Some falsely describe it as health care and even as a basic human right” (Priorities at the Polls). Laws and policies that legalize or promote an intrinsic evil like abortion violate the virtue of justice.

Those who work as public officials and civic leaders have a duty to serve the common good, and therefore have a profound obligation to safeguard this most fundamental right to life. Through our own prayer, witness, and civic participation, we can encourage our leaders to truly answer their call to protect the rights of all people. For “there can be no true democracy without a recognition of every person’s dignity and without respect for his or her rights” (Evangelium vitae 101).

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one)

• Sacrifice some of your free time to do a small act of service, such as making breakfast for a family member, writing a note of encouragement to a coworker, or praying for the intentions of a friend.

• Sometimes restrictions on religious freedom constrain our efforts to live out the Gospel of life. We must be free to live out our Catholic faith in the public square. Offer this Prayer for Religious Liberty, that Christians may always be free to respect, protect, and defend human life.

• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

When discussing faithful citizenship in 2019, the U.S. bishops reaffirmed, “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.” Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas and former Chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, explains more in Priorities at the Polls.

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAY 8

DAY 8

INTENTION

May expectant mothers choosing adoption receive grace and support in embracing this loving option.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

Mothers placing their children for adoption often face many challenges along the way. One of the greatest obstacles can be inaccurately perceiving adoption as abandonment. But mothers who make an adoption plan for their children are not abandoning their children. Rather, they are exemplifying the sacrificial love of Christ on the Cross in choosing to do what is best for their children, even at great cost to themselves. Like Christ, they pour out their bodies and souls for the sake of another. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that, in the face of fears and trials, we can “hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm” (Heb 6:18-19). We pray that each expectant mother choosing adoption will be filled with “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7) as she makes a loving choice for her child. Let us all cling fast to the anchor of hope, for we have received “a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Rom 8:15).

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one.)

• Do you have a sweet tooth? Or do you prefer salty snacks? Pick your favorite kind of treat, and give it up for the day.

• Look up one of the Scripture passages from today’s reflection, and spend some time with it in prayer. What is the Lord saying to you?

• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

Accompanying Expectant Mothers Considering Adoption suggests nine ways to offer ongoing support to a woman who is considering making an adoption plan for her unborn child. Many of the tips given are also helpful for supporting a friend who is experiencing a challenging or unexpected pregnancy, even if adoption has not been brought up. Supplemental resources regarding adoption can be found at usccb.org/adoption-resources.

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE NOVENA' - DAY 7

DAY 7

INTENTION

May expectant fathers lovingly support the mothers of their children in welcoming new life.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

Fatherhood has its origins in God, who chose to reveal Himself to us as Our Father, sending his only Son for the sake of our salvation. Fathers therefore have a special role “in revealing and in reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God” (Familiaris consortio 25). Fathers are called to exhibit “generous responsibility for the life conceived under the heart of the mother” (FC 25). They are uniquely entrusted with the protection and defense of both mother and child and, in this way, in safeguarding the sanctity of human life.

​As evidenced in our world today, the role of the father “is of unique and irreplaceable importance” (FC 25). Often women choose abortion because they do not have the support of the child’s father, or—even worse—the father of the child pressures her to make the decision to abort. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge with compassion that men can also be overwhelmed by an unexpected pregnancy and that society increasingly tells them that they should have no say in their children’s lives. In the face of these false messages, we pray that expectant fathers will find courage in the example of Saint Joseph—who embraced the role of father amid difficult circumstances—and offer loving, life-affirming support to the mothers of their children.

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one)

• Give up sleeping on your pillow—or even your bed—tonight. Offer this small sacrifice for the intention that expectant fathers will courageously answer their call to support both mother and child.

• Pray a decade of the Rosary for all expectant fathers, that through her intercession, Our Lady may inspire in them the virtues of Saint Joseph.

• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

Research continues to show that one of the top reasons a woman chooses abortion is due to a lack of financial resources. Read Poverty and Abortion: A Vicious Cycle, which explores the connections between abortion and poverty, and how the absence of fathers contributes to this ongoing cycle.

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAY 6

DAY 6

INTENTION

May every expectant mother receive compassionate care and support as she nurtures the life in her womb.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she opened her heart to receive his message that she would conceive the Son of God in her womb. As a young bride who had not yet lived with her husband, Mary knew that her pregnancy presented many challenges. Despite this knowledge, she faithfully responded, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). 

Like the Blessed Mother, women who unexpectedly become pregnant often face significant challenges. They, too, are called to place their trust in God and faithfully respond to His gift of new life. And we are called to walk with them in their time of need. As Jesus taught us, when we love and serve others, we are loving and serving Him.

​May all expectant mothers be encouraged by Mary’s example and receive support and grace in lovingly welcoming their children into the world.

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one.)

• Sign up to pray for and serve expectant mothers in need in your community through a parish-based program called Walking with Moms in Need.

• Pray the Angelus today. You might also consider saying it every day for the next week—on awakening, at noon, or at 6 p.m. (or all three times).

• ​Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today's intention.

One Step Further

When a woman is facing an unexpected pregnancy, the reaction of the first person she tells tends to set the tone for her decision-making. Pregnancy can be difficult and frightening, but no matter the circumstances, it’s important for an expectant mother to feel supported and loved. Read 10 Ways to Support Her When She’s Unexpectedly Expecting for simple tips on how to provide loving, life-affirming support for a friend who is unexpectedly pregnant. Your support may be the only support she receives.

9 DAYS FOR LIFE NOVENA - DAY 5

DAY 5

INTENTION

May all who support or participate in abortion experience a conversion of heart to seek and receive the Lord’s boundless mercy.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

When God fashioned the human person in His own image and likeness, He destined us for eternal life with Him. Yet because of the sin of our first parents, death entered the world. The book of Genesis recounts the first occasion in which a person takes the life of another, as Cain violently kills his brother Abel. This instance of brother rising up against brother “at the very dawn of history is thus a sad witness of how evil spreads with amazing speed” (Evangelium vitae 8).

From the time of creation, disregard for human life has continued to spread. When we, like Cain, allow sin to find a place in our hearts, we become blinded to the truth. Sometimes this blindness might be so deep that we fail to recognize the undeniable humanity of unborn children. We may even tragically believe the lie that abortion is an act of compassion. But we know that “life, especially human life, belongs only to God: for this reason whoever attacks human life, in some way attacks God himself” (EV 9). Let us pray that all who support abortion will encounter the transforming love of the Father and, with repentant hearts, seek His mercy.

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one.)

• Smile. Ask God today for the grace to be extra joyful and to share the light of Christ with those most in need of His love and mercy.

• ​Make an act of faith, hope, or love.

• ​Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life) was written to reaffirm the value and inviolability of every human life and to appeal to all people to respect, protect, love, and serve every human life. A brief summary highlights key themes and foundational teachings from the papal encyclical, exploring how the Church’s teachings regarding human life are at the heart of Jesus’ entire Gospel message.

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAY 4

DAY 4

INTENTION

May all unborn children be protected in law and welcomed in love.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

Today, we mourn the many children’s lives ended by abortion and remember in prayer those who suffer the aftermath. We pray that children in their mothers’ wombs would again be protected in law and do penance in reparation for abortions that have been committed in our world.

In his encyclical Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life), Pope John Paul II said, “may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer” (EV 100). May that prayer arise in our hearts today and each day forward until every human being is protected in law and welcomed in love.

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one.)

• Fast from one meal today.

• ​Offer this brief “Prayer for Life” for all unborn children whose lives are at risk. 

Father and maker of all,

you adorn all creation

with splendor and beauty,

and fashion human lives

in your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart

reverence for the work of your hands,

and renew among your people

a readiness to nurture and sustain

your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord

Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in 

the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God forever and ever.

Amen

• ​Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

More women and girls consider abortion than we may realize. They are our relatives and friends, people who work with us or for us. Even if someone identifies as being pro-life, the shock of an unexpected pregnancy, the devastation of a difficult prenatal diagnosis, shame, pressures, or fears may influence her to consider abortion.

If someone shared with you that she was pregnant and hadn't ruled out having an abortion, would you know how to respond in a loving way that is life-affirming for both her and her baby? Learn about the four steps of the L.O.V.E. Approach™*: Listen and Learn, Open Options, Vision and Value, and Extend and Empower.

​

*The L.O.V.E. Approach™ is trademarked by Heartbeat International, Inc. and may not be adapted or modified. The L.O.V.E. Approach™ is used in “What to Do When a Friend Is Considering Abortion” with permission from Heartbeat International, Inc.

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAY 3

DAY 3

INTENTION

May all who defend life find strength and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

God has carefully, tenderly created every person in His own image and likeness, to be in a loving relationship with Himself. From each tiny child knit within a mother’s womb, to every person approaching death, all are loved perfectly and completely by God: “It is therefore a service of love which we are all committed to ensure to our neighbor, that his or her life may be always defended and promoted, especially when it is weak or threatened [emphasis added]” (Evangelium vitae 77).

​In a world in which those who are most vulnerable are so often overlooked and disregarded, Christ calls us to embrace and uphold the unconditional dignity of every human life. In answering this call, we help to build “a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love” (EV 77). May the Holy Spirit continually renew us as we strive to faithfully defend God’s gift of life.

ACTS OF REPARATION

(Choose one.)

• Do you love your cup of tea or coffee? Abstain from caffeine today, or try your coffee black.
• ​“Unplug” for some time today, and reflect on how God may be asking you to help build a culture of life in your home, workplace, or Church community.
• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

Watching the news and reading headlines, we may often feel helpless in the face of heartbreaking lack of respect for human life. When our efforts to make a difference feel small, it’s important to remember that changing the culture is a process of conversion that begins in our own hearts. It includes a willingness to be instructed by the Holy Spirit and a desire to be close to Jesus—the source of joy and love.

How to Build a Culture of Life briefly explains where to start.

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAY 2

DAY 2

INTENTION 

May each person suffering from participation in abortion find forgiveness, hope, and healing in Christ.

PRAYERS 

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION 

Countless children’s lives have been ended by abortion, and countless parents and family members suffer guilt, grief, and regret—often in silence. Yet God’s greatest desire is to forgive. No matter how far we have each strayed from His side, He says to us, “Don’t be afraid. Draw close to my heart.” Be assured that it is never too late to seek God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son. After repenting of sinning against his father, he returns from far away to seek forgiveness and work as a servant. But his father sees him approaching, runs to warmly embrace him, and hosts a banquet to celebrate his return. So, too, does God welcome all His children who come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with contrite hearts, no matter how serious the sin. Let us turn confidently to Our Lord, Who is love and mercy.

ACTS OF REPARATION 

(Choose one.)

Abstain from meat today.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for today's intention.

Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

One Step Further

If a friend confided in you that she had an abortion, would you be able to listen and respond in a way that brings her closer to forgiveness and healing? Learn how in How to Talk to a Friend Who’s Had an Abortion. 

'9 DAYS FOR LIFE' NOVENA - DAY 1

DAY 1

INTENTION

May the tragic practice of abortion end.

PRAYERS

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

REFLECTION

At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God’s love. The presence of an illness, disability, or other challenging situation never diminishes the value of a human life. God does not call us to perfection of appearance or abilities, but to perfection in love. Christ invites us to embrace our own lives and the lives of others as true gifts.

Abortion tragically rejects the truth that every life is a good and perfect gift, deserving protection. This violent practice ends the life of a human being at its very beginning and horribly wounds all those involved. But Christ came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), taking on human flesh for the sake of our redemption. May our culture experience the power of God’s transforming love, that all eyes may be opened to the incredible beauty of every human life.

Acts of Reparation

(Choose one.)

(1)

Take a break from television and movies today. Consider spending some of that time praying with today’s reflection.

 

Pray the short prayer “Every Life is Worth Living,” reflecting on the gift of human life. 

Heavenly Father, thank you

for the precious gift of life.

Help us to cherish and protect

this gift, even in the midst of

fear, pain, and suffering.

Give us love for all people,

especially the most vulnerable, and help us bear witness to the truth that every life is worth living.

Grant us the humility to accept help

when we are in need,

and teach us to be merciful to all.

Through our words and actions, may others encounter the outstretched hands of Your mercy.

We ask this through

Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

​(2)

Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.

ONE STEP FURTHER

​Abortion is frequently a topic in the news, political debates, and everyday conversations with family or friends. Because abortion can be a controversial and emotional issue in any arena, many of us may feel intimidated when the topic arises, not knowing what to say. Another Look at Abortion provides a basic overview and summarizes key points. This article will help you be better prepared to witness the sanctity of human life.