The First Session of the Synod of Bishops

In a letter sent Sept. 20, 2023 to all priests of the Diocese, Bishop David M O’Connell, C.M., called for prayer among the faithful to usher in the Synod of Bishops set to begin in October.

Bishop O’Connell wrote: “The First Session of the Synod of Bishops 2021-2024 begins Oct. 4 and continues until Oct. 29, 2023 with the theme ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.’ Our Holy Father Pope Francis has said, ‘Without prayer there will be no Synod.’”

The Bishop continued: “The Holy See’s Secretariat for the Synod has asked all the bishops of the world to encourage the faithful of their dioceses to pray that the Holy Spirit might inspire Synod deliberations by remembering its intentions in prayer and especially at Mass, beginning the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 23-24) and continuing until Oct. 29.

In addition to his letter, Bishop O’Connell sent the priests a “Prayer for the Synod” in multiple languages, asking the clergy to use the prayer in parishes and to publish it on digital media and in church bulletins.  In some parishes, the prayer has already been in use at Masses as a post-Communion prayer.

The Bishop’s communique also included a “Final Blessing for Mass” that has been recommended by Pope Francis for use on the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) in English and Spanish.

See the prayers and special blessings below.