Bishop O’Connell shared messages for Synod Day of Prayer and Pentecost

SHARING A CALL FROM POPE FRANCIS REGARDING THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued a letter May 24 inviting the faithful throughout the Diocese of Trenton to take part in a special day of prayer for the Synod on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31.  He especially encouraged all those whose parishes are named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary under any of her titles, to pray for this special intention.  The Bishop’s message follows:

Mary, the mother of God, is always with us on the synodal path, for she is also ‘Mother of the Church’ (Mater Ecclesiae); mother of all those who are companions and disciples of her son. Whenever we are feeling lost, confused, or hesitant about the way, we only have to look to her to point out the way. Mary does not speak. She does not need to. She only needs to direct our gaze to her son. In her wordless gesture, she sums up the whole mission of the Church. Even when the People of God are ‘in via’—on the journey—they are always in mission. The two cannot be separated, for there is but one way and one object of our desire, one source of our life and our hope: Jesus Christ. (General Secretariat for the Synod, Towards a spirituality for synodality, p.45)

Through the General Secretariat for the Synod, our Holy Father Pope Francis has asked all dioceses throughout the world to observe a World Day of Prayer for the Sixteenth Ordinary Synod of Bishops 2021-2024, on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31, 2023, entrusting the Synod on Synodality to the loving protection, care and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

All the clergy, religious and lay faithful in all the parishes of the Diocese of Trenton, especially those whose parishes are named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary under any of her titles, are asked to pray for this special intention on May 31.

Catholic schools, and other Catholic organizations and institutions are also encouraged to join in this prayer intention.

As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I especially recommend prayer to Our Blessed Virgin Mary through her Most Holy Rosary.

At Masses throughout the Diocese, mention of the Synod can be made in homilies and the Prayers of the Faithful.  These prayers might also be prayed with an announcement of the intention after the post-Communion prayer:

Read the prayers HERE.

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BISHOP O’CONNELL HAS SHARED THIS MESSAGE FOR THE SOLEMN FEAST OF PENTECOST.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly” (Acts of the Apostles 4:31).

The Easter Season comes to its liturgical end this year on Sunday, May 28, as the Church celebrates the Solemn Feast of Pentecost, traditionally called the “birthday of the Church.” Before returning to his Father, Jesus promised in the Gospel of John that he would “send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him” (John 7: 39); that he “would ask the Father to give us another, the Advocate, to be with us forever – the Spirit of Truth” (John 14: 16-17);  that he would not leave us orphans: “I will come to you” (John 14: 18), that when the Spirit comes, “he will guide you into all Truth” (John 16: 13).  As Jesus ascended into heaven, described in the Gospel of Matthew, he proclaimed, “Behold, I will be with you always, even until the end of time” (Matthew 28: 20).

The birth of the Church at Pentecost, announced by Peter in the Acts of the Apostles (2:14-36) and liturgically celebrated 50 days after Easter, is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises and we are their eternal beneficiaries. The Holy Spirit, proceeding from – and one with – the Father and the Son as we profess each Sunday in the Creed, offers us spiritual gifts and powers to live the Catholic Christian life of faith.

Throughout the year, the Bishop and his Episcopal Vicars travel throughout the parishes of the Diocese to administer Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is truly our own Pentecost, the occasion for baptized Catholics to celebrate our ownership of the gifts, graces and powers of the promised Holy Spirit. The Sacrament can only be received once but its effects, its gifts and graces, are meant to last for a lifetime.

Read the full message HERE.