The word ‘synod’ says it all: it means ‘journeying together.’ The Book of Acts is the story of a journey that started in Jerusalem, passed through Samaria and Judea, then on to the regions of Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, ending up in Rome. A journey that reveals how God’s word, and the people who heed and put their faith in that word, journey together. The word of God journeys with us. Everyone has a part to play; no one is a mere extra. This is important: everyone has a part to play. The Pope, the Cardinal Vicar and the auxiliary bishops are not more important than the others; no, all of us have a part to play and no one can be considered simply as an extra.” (Address of his Holiness Pope Francis to the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, Sept. 2021)
All are invited to learn more about the synod both globally and here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. We are providing resources for this study and will be updating this page as new resources become available.
If there is a resource you would like to see added, please use our question form to let us know.
Local Synod Formation Opportunities:
- The Vision of Pope Francis for a Synodal Church Speaker: Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. Lecture
Title: The Vision of Pope Francis for a Synodal Church
When: February 20, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Where: Cannon Chapel, Emory University
Register here: bit.ly/aquinas_mcs2024 - La visión del Papa Francisco para una Iglesia sinodal
Speaker: Su eminencia el Card. Christophe Pierre, Nuncio Apostólico en los Estados - Unidos de América Lecture
Title: La visión del Papa Francisco para una Iglesia sinodal
When: 19 de febrero 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Misión de la Divina Misericordia (3542 Clairmont Road, Brookhaven, GA)
Register here: rb.gy/n7h0fs
Online opportunities:
- Synod MOOC at Boston College: Boston College will be sponsoring a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called “Toward a constitutively Synodal Church,” which will take place during March 2024.
The course will be offered simultaneously in seven languages, completely free and use an asynchronous format.
USCCB Webinars:
- The Interim Stage with Bishop Flores and the US Synod Team Previous January 9, 2024
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jyP2C-g12w - John 14 with Bishop Flores – Session II
Wednesday, March 6, 3 p.m. ET (1.5 hours)
Register: https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fFNBy4UbTlOFl-zx_Co1_Q - John 14 with Bishop Flores – Session III
Tuesday, March 19, 4 p.m. ET (1.5 hours)
Register: https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_onAHL2XDRw6hN6PLaI6cy - A The Synod & the Eucharistic Revival with Bishop Cozzens and Bishop Flores
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 12 PM ET/
Register: https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FJBySdAGTo2Ha7RiVgrJJw - Thursday, April 11, 2024 3 PM ET Lumen Gentium and Synodality
Register: https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rqImTlZfQhS460dazjEtww
Previous:
- January 9, 2024- The Interim Stage with Bishop Flores and the US Synod Team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jyP2C-g12w
- Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., wrote this letter to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in support of the synod.
- The Vatican released this Preparatory document as a way for people to better understand this particular Synod and to get into the right frame of mind for it.
- The Vademecum is a handbook for how the Synod will unfold around the world. The word vademecum means “walk with me” so this document is a companion for bishops and their conferences to use in their local churches.
- In 2015, at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis delivered an address on what synodality means.
- In 2018 the International Theological Commission released the results of several years of study on Synodality in the life and mission of the church.
- Pope Francis urged the priests in his own diocese of Rome to support the Synod in this Sept 2021 address in Rome.
- The Vatican released this Preparatory document
- In November 2021, the Archdiocese of Atlanta Synod team released a presentation on how the Synod will roll out locally.
- The Aquinas Center at Emory University collaborated with the Catholic Lay Interparish Partnership to compile a resource page you may find helpful.
