TO GROW AS A SYNODAL CHURCH

Pope Francis started the Synod on Synodality - Journeying Together, in October 2021. The synodal process was finalised in March 2023 after completion at the diocesan, national, and continental levels. Currently, the first level of the synodal process is being discerned and discussed at the Vatican from October 4 to 28, 2023, while the second level is set for October 2024. The main goal of this synod is to encourage collaborative decision-making within the Catholic Church and the People of God. By journeying and reflecting together, the Church can learn from experience and improve living in communion by welcoming all, achieving participation, and becoming a missionary Synodal Church.

The synod comprises 464 participants, consisting of 365 members and 54 women, with the right to vote for the first time. This event is unique because, for the first time, the voting delegates will not be bishops but laypeople, priests, consecrated women, and deacons; some of whom were appointed by the Pope. All the participants attended a four-day retreat from 1 – 4 October 2023 before entering the first level of the synodal process. The retreat, led by Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe, included moments of prayer, reflection and silence to remind participants of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It helps them to seek guidance and direction in sharing their insights during the synodal assembly. It ensures that they are not self-directed in their approach.

During the opening of the XVI Synod Assembly, the Pope in his homily, highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit in the Synod. He encouraged the participants to rely on Him throughout the assembly. He emphasised that the Synod is “not a political gathering, but rather a convocation in the spirit.” He reminded the participants that the Synod is “a place of grace and communion,” where the Holy Spirit is the central figure. The Pope invited the participants to “open themselves to the Holy Spirit, the protagonist of the assembly, and to walk with Him in trust and with joy.”

The first session of the Synod Assembly began on 4 October at the Paul VI Hall. The focus is on studying the Instrumentum Laboris (IL), also known as the Working Document, which forms the basis for the discernment and discussion of three main priorities of the Synod – Communion, Participation, and Mission. Topics such as women deacons, priestly celibacy, and outreach to the LGBTQ+ (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queer, and more) will be discussed too. Along with these, the synod assembly will also talk about various theological topics, canonical studies, and its pastoral implications. The aim is to prepare a document that provides advice or counsel to the Holy Father for a second assembly in October 2024.

We hope this Synod on Synodality will be a moment of renewal for our Catholic Church, deeply rooted in the doctrine of faith, traditions, and morals. May all the participants of the Synod Assembly be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and respond accordingly. May their discussions, sharing, and reflections help our Church to grow as a Synodal Church, carrying out the mission of Christ in a challenging world.

PRAYER UNITES AND STRENGTHENS US

Credit: Vatican Media

The Synod on Synodality commenced on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, and will end on Saturday, 28 October 2023, at Vatican City. The synodal is a preparation for the celebration of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2024. The Holy Father has called on us to pray for the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality as we work to strengthen the bond of the Catholic tradition and morality. During the Synod, we pray for the participants to journey together, listening and discerning together and praying together for deeper communion with Christ.

During the Angelus on 16 October 2022, Pope Francis extended the Synod on Synodality until 23 October 2024. He decided to divide the Synod of Bishops into two sessions, which is being held in Rome. The first session is currently underway since 4 October and will go on until 29 October 2023, while the second is scheduled for October 2024. This decision was made “to have a more relaxed period of discernment.” He wants to ensure that the fruits of the synodal process reach full maturity, and it is not something to be rushed, but instead, requires patience. 

 

The first session of Synod comprises 363 voting members, including women. Some attendees will represent Bishops’ Conferences, and some have been personally appointed by Pope Francis. Additionally, some individuals will be present as “fraternal delegates,” “spiritual assistants,” or “experts and facilitators.” The synodal is a preparation for the celebration of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2024.

Pope Francis officially launched a three-year synodal journey with the theme: “For a Synodal Church”, focusing on the three priorities - Communion, Participation, and Mission on 9 October 2021. In September 2021, the Vatican released the preparatory document for this General Assembly. Thousands of Catholics from around the world gathered in their parishes to discuss the questions posed by the Synod. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some faithful participated in the discussions virtually. 

We completed the first phase, the Diocesan / National Phase, between October 2021 – April 2022, and it has been conducted through a process of listening and discernment among the priests and faithful worldwide. The results of these discussions were then sent to the respective Bishops’ Conferences for their review. The Conferences were responsible for gathering all the participants’ voices and bringing them to the table.

The second phase of the process is the Continental Phase (September 2022 - March 2023). During this phase, the Bishops’ conferences reviewed the journey made in the first phase and continued the listening and discernment regarding what emerged. The third phase is the Universal Phase. This phase of the synodal journey aims to encourage deeper reflection for the betterment of the Church.

Let us pray for all those participating in the Synodal Assembly over the next few weeks. May they be guided by the Word of God and listen to the workings of the Holy Spirit as they approach the heart of the Church. Our unity in prayer unites and strengthens the Catholic Church!

DEVOTION OF THE ROSARY

October holds great importance in the Catholic Church, as it is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Every year, the liturgical Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7^th. The Feast is a way of expressing gratitude through the faithful praying of the Rosary to the Blessed Virgin Mary for protecting the Catholic Church.

Pope Saint Pius V (1504-1572) established this feast day in honour of the miraculous victory of Christian forces in the battle at Lepanto, which took place on 7 October 1571. At that time, the Church in Europe achieved a significant victory against the Muslim Turks. The Turks, who controlled vast Muslim lands in the Middle East, were expanding into Europe, which forced Pope Pius V to call on Christians to rally and defeat the Islamic threat. He also asked for special processions and public recitation of the rosary, seeking the intercession of the Virgin Mary. As a result, the Muslim army was defeated at the Battle of Lepanto. 

The Church devotes the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary in hope of peace in the world, and it urges Christians to recite this pious devotion daily either individually, with family or within the community. Pope Leo XII expressed his desire for this in his statement “On Devotion of the Rosary”, dated 1 September 1883, which exhorts all Christians to pray unceasingly and consecrate the whole of October to the Holy Queen of the Rosary. Today, Catholics show special reverence to Mother Mary by saying the rosary and reciting the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her intercession.

Reflecting on the Marian prayers can help us discover their true meaning as if we were saying them for the very first time. The Hail Mary and Angelus - prayed at 6.00am, 12.00pm and 6.00pm - are loving praises of Mary’s divine motherhood. Praying the Rosary and Angelus daily is important as our Mother Mary deserves our devotion. If we recite the Holy Rosary and the Angelus every day with love and faith, she will guide us far along the path of her Son. It is essential that we should not distance ourselves from Our Lady. We show her our respect and honour by staying close to her, speaking to her, demonstrating our love for her, and sharing with her our challenges, achievements and failures.

Praying the Rosary is a beautiful way of strengthening our relationship with God. For the next 30 days, try to spend 15-30 minutes daily praying the Rosary. As we journey through October, let us reflect on the magnificence of the Rosary, which brings us closer to Jesus and Mary. By contemplating the great mysteries of our salvation, we can enhance our spiritual connection and find inner peace. 

St. Therese of Lisieux said that she was especially drawn to Mary, not because she is the Queen of Heaven, but because she is our mother.

SEEKING HIS GUIDANCE THROUGH HIS SPIRIT

The month of September has been set aside for the annual retreats of the Clergy (Bishops, Priests and Deacons) of Peninsular Malaysia. The retreat lasts for six days, starting on Sunday evening and ending on Friday afternoon. These retreats are conducted in three different locations: Cameron Highlands (first and last week of the month), Penang Island (second week) and Johor Bahru (third week). Normally, two retreat masters conduct the retreat at each location.

There were approximately 30 clergy members who attended the retreat (17-22 September) in MAJODI Centre in Plentong, Johor. Since being ordained as a priest, I have attended my annual retreat in MAJODI Centre twice. I usually choose Penang Island because of the delicious food and beautiful scenery. However, since I’m currently residing in Kuantan, I took the coastal road along the South China Sea down south to Johor Bahru.

 

The retreat at MAJODI was led by Rev. Fr. Anthony Corcoran SJ, who is originally from the United States of America. Pope Francis appointed him to serve as an Apostolic Administrator in Kyrgyzstan in 2017. He was ordained as a priest in 1996 and has now served for 27 years. I recently learned about Kyrgyzstan - a mountainous Central Asian country - which shares its borders with China to the south and with the republics of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the east, all of which were formerly part of the Soviet Union. Kyrgyzstan obtained its independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country’s population is approximately 6 million, with the majority of its people being Muslim. However, there are approximately 1,500 Catholics of Polish, German and Korean origin. The Vatican has entrusted the jurisdiction of the area to the Jesuit Priests. Fr. Anthony Corcoran began our retreat with a poetic prayer to the Holy Spirit:

 

                Holy Spirit Prayer of St. Augustine (354-430)

                    “Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

                    Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

                    Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love, but what is holy.

                    Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.”

WALK IN SOLIDARITY AND SHOW TENDERNESS

Since 1914, the Catholic Church celebrates World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) every year on the last Sunday of September. This year, the 109th WDMR falls on Sunday, 24 September 2023, with the theme “Free To Choose Whether To Migrate Or To Stay.” The intention of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, is to encourage individuals to have a deeper reflection on “the right not to have migrated or the right to be able to remain in one’s own land.” 

Pope Francis has highlighted that the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt was not a free decision, just like many migrants today. He explained that millions of people are being forced to leave their countries due to persecution, conflicts, wars, extreme poverty, natural disasters, or the inability to live a dignified and prosperous life.

 

It is crucial that the forced migration of many individuals should be carefully considered. The right to remain in one’s own land is fundamental - “encompassing the ability to share in the common good”, “live with dignity”, and “access sustainable development”. These rights must be guaranteed in countries of origin by the international community, as well as understanding the importance of these fundamental rights, by working to ensure that they are protected.

 

The Holy Father’s message emphasises the need for collective efforts by individual countries and the international community to secure the right of all individuals to live in peace and with dignity in their own country. This includes the right not to be forced to emigrate.

 

The Pope urges us to recognise the presence of Christ in every migrant that comes to our door. He reminds us that we must ensure that migration is always a free decision and that we must treat each and every migrant with the utmost dignity and respect. No matter where we choose to establish our future, whether it is in our home country or abroad, the crucial aspect is that there is always a community willing “to welcome, protect, promote and integrate everyone,” without discrimination and without exclusion.

 

This day is an opportunity to pray for and raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities faced by migrants and refugees on their life journey. Let us walk in solidarity and show tenderness to our migrant brothers and sisters, so that all people can flourish in their homeland. 

 

The Holy Father ended with a prayer:

 

The Holy Father ended with a prayer:

God, Father almighty,

grant us the grace to work tirelessly

for justice, solidarity, and peace,

so that all your children may enjoy

the freedom to choose whether to migrate or to stay.

Grant us the courage to denounce

all the horrors of our world

and to combat every injustice

that mars the beauty of your children

and the harmony of our common home.

Sustain us by the power of your Spirit,

so that we can reflect your tender love

to every migrant whom you place in our path,

and to spread in hearts and in every situation

the culture of encounter and of care. Amen.

 

(An EXTRACT FROM THE MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 109^TH WDMR 2023)