Caritas Christi Urget Nos The Love of Christ Impels Us L'amour de Christ Nous Presse

RECOLLECTION Guide

Towards Deepening a Spirituality of Synodality

                                  RECOLLECTION 2023

On several occasions, Pope Francis has highlighted the risks of a synodal process that is not first and foremost a listening, a private and communal dialogue with the Holy Spirit. Thus, he emphasized that the Synod should be a process of spiritual discernment, of ecclesial discernment, that unfolds in adoration, in prayer and in dialogue with the word of God… The word summons us to discernment, and it brings light to the process. It guides the Synod, preventing it from becoming a Church convention, a study group or a political gathering, a parliament, but rather a grace-filled event, a process of healing guided by the Spirit. (Pope Francis,
10 October 2021)

To live our “synodal vocation” as Christians, we are invited “to explore what a spirituality for synodality might mean and why it provides a deep resource for ecclesial life, understanding and theological reflection.”1  A synodal  spirituality is a way of life or praxis which integrates and makes concrete the three key elements of communion, participation, and mission. It ensures that we do not attempt to separate them in our reflection or in our praxis.

Through this monthly recollection guide, centered on the theme: “Towards Deepening a Spirituality of Synodality,” we hope to participate actively and spiritually in the synodal process and fulfill our Christian ‘synodal vocation’ which grows through a spiritual life.

—————————————————–

1
Towards A Spirituality for Synodality, a document published by Commission on Spirituality Sub-Group: Spiritualit for Synodality.

SEPTEMBER

THEME:  HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL COMMUNION

Introduction

We are living in unprecedented times made more complicated in the past years byCOVID-19 which is also a socio-ecological crisis. With the exploitation of creation, comes the destruction of human life. Despite this reality in our world today, we are confident that we can build a human family of people in solidarity and fraternity that will continue to make human life flourish. Our capacity to realize this hope of human and ecological harmony is anchored in the Scriptures, “everything God made, he found very good.”

GRACE TO BEG

Lord Jesus, I beg for the grace of hope, that I may always remember that everything God created is good, and to work toward human and ecological harmony.

 Scripture Text:

Genesis 1: 27-31

“God looked at everything he had made and found it very good.”

Correlated Reading:

CA 2019 p. 32 par. 2

“Finally, mission today impels us to be actively engaged in safeguarding creation and to be formed in the responsible use of the media to meet the challenge of witnessing Christ in the digital world.”

Prayer Exercises:

  1. Prayerfully read Genesis 1: 27-31.
  • Thank the Lord for the wonders of creation. Every tree, every cloud, every river, and especially yourself, speaks of God’s goodness. Recall a specific moment when you have felt a deep sense of solidarity and connection with humanity and creation.
  • Recall opportunities for connection and unity with peoples and creation that you missed or intentionally avoided. Bring them before the Lord for mercy and healing.
  1. Capitular Acts 2019 urges us to be “actively engaged in safeguarding creation.”
  • What habits or ways of thinking are you being invited to give up in order to strengthen your sense of solidarity and connection with people and creation?
  • Take time to talk with God about how you desire to live out a life of solidarity in the time and place where you live as a sister of Saint Paul of Chartres.

Points for Sharing and Practice:

  1. Share a specific moment when you have felt a deep sense of solidarity and connection with humanity and creation.
  1. In the community, identify one habit or way of thinking that you are willing to give up in order to strengthen your sense of solidarity and connection with people and creation.