Synodality

The synod at Catholic University

What and Why

What are we doing for the synod at Catholic U., and why are we doing it?

Synodality: Why Should You Care?

The papal nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre and President John Garvey will discuss synodality early in the spring semester

Listening Sessions

Students, faculty, and staff will be invited to participate in listening sessions throughout the Spring semester

Summary Report

A report from the listening sessions will be prepared

What’s a synod?

The word “synod” and may be new to many Catholics, but the reality described by it has been part of the life of the Church since Apostolic times. “Synod” comes from two Greek words meaning, “walking together.” A synod is an ecclesial gathering with the goal of discerning what the Holy Spirit is asking of the Church at the time.

On this page, we’ve collected videos from many American bishops reflecting on synods or on this synod in particular. The Vatican's Synod Resources page is also helpful.

What is synodality?

“Synodality” describes the way the entire Church—all of the baptized— seeks to discern together where the Holy Spirit is leading us right now. If that sounds to you like the Church just being the Church, that’s because it is!

The official name for the “synod on synodality” is: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” Even before Pope Francis called the entire Church to this “synodal process,” many bishops across the world have used synods to reinvigorate their local Churches.

U.S. Bishops Speaking About Synodality (On YouTube)

Posted in alphabetical order by the name of the diocese

Bishops Speaking about Synodality (Not on YouTube)

Posted in alphabetical order by the name of the diocese

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Grace & Peace no. 20 9-30-21.mp4
Bishop's Homily for Synod Mass
A message from Bishop Mulvey: For a Synodal Church
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1316893652-3126bd74b5ee145aa04b86c0093eaa3f292e49292ee9d6b208660c99f4b4c246-d_295x166
Synod Invitation from Bishop Burns
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1277888872-bf159e35b2840973f9168aed231e0328cdde1760e00720d96_295x166
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila's Homily for the Opening of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1286182884-93e9949696bd9774ba53d3df560504b483e5d9ea86c8086e1_295x166
Synod Opening Mass with Archbishop Jackels | Mass for Twenty-ninth Sunday OT
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1279722884-ede0359dcec195b657f90f8b591978d97f0862692612d695f_295x166
Sunday Homily with Bishop David Ricken for the Opening Mass for the Synod on Synodality - October 17th, 2021
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1275678065-ac10584114d491bbd5fb7b8447fb3da8971beb82a78913785_295x166
Diocese Participation: Synod 2021-2023
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1275538556-5b296ebb5fee6ea6340c565e1ad70f1fdf7727bd21a4494b6_295x166
Message from Cardinal Dolan: Synod 2021 - 2023
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1315954276-3805da879e9f1cef2e73824086a61b5c38ba610dd2c792a39b85e1ce83289355-d_295x166
Synod Intro
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1271386723-b4886e370b069379451edf1e99de917ff693fbf80c0101821_295x166
Info on Synod of Bishops 2023
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1314727217-25d76cf34721f5485f48222b9e11e589c809fceac042a876bb01a6fc0e9e6e4e-d_295x166
Across the Diocese Synod Nov 2021
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1276966818-d564a9c8d145b3c78b970bb216f68e8e2efe8a4c3b5d3ebe5_295x166
Bishop Barres’ Homily for the Opening of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod of Bishops
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1300660178-e35546915f24d3a132711733f385dfd0462b0ed9529309ed5_295x166
Homily From Opening Mass of the Synod on Synodality, Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1315062734-efc6de2eb9b55c594f7bc32acd38a439d765b110d3d924e8facbbe26858d5a2c-d_295x166
Synod Holy Hour and Mass
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1282895922-223cf1d0936dc04da4b1ba71cc64e00bcd7554459a36b5687_295x166
Message from Bishop Jaime Soto - Diocesan Phase of the Synod
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1317739574-68ec1e268b80d0dc43c0cf28eb220c0fa3b2e3cded3dad5cb26c088d59346916-d_295x166
Bishop Cantú’s Message at the End of Our Jubilee Year
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1270575129-43d085b1b28d7559f5c723b3663d829b76840ee5e6b0d0832_295x166
October 17, 2021 Sunday Mass from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/612586492-a888a16c59d2807cf2a029a6b6cb2e3cc071b864ba4aaf4c39a69d16c8a8d31d-d_295x166
The new year is the year for our fourth diocesan synod
Bishop Raica of the Diocese of Birmingham
The homily of Bishop Malesic at the Opening Mass for the synod in the Diocese of Cleveland
A message from Bishop Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi about synodality
Bishop Burns of the Diocese of Dallas invites participation in the synod
Archbishop Aquila's homily for the Opening Mass in the Archdiocese of Denver
Archbishop Jackals opens the synod process in the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Bishop Ricken opens the synod in the Diocese of Green Bay
Message of Bishop Johnston for the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph
Opening Mass in the Diocese of Nashville with Bishop Spalding
A message from Cardinal Dolan to the Archdiocese of New York
Bishop Barber of the Diocese of Oakland invites diocesan participation in the synod
Message of Bishop Barbarito for the Diocese of Palm Beach
Message from Bishop Medley of the Diocese of Owensboro
Bishop Barres homily for the opening of the synodal process for the Diocese of Rockville Centre
Bishop Gruss at the Opening Mass of the synod for the Diocese of Saginaw
Holy Hour and Mass with Archbishop Sample for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Message from Bishop Soto in the Diocese of Sacramento
Message from Bishop Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose
Opening Mass with Bishop Parkes in the Diocese of Savannah
Bishop Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois calling the fourth diocesan synod in 2017
Opening Mass for the synod in the Diocese of Venice, Florida, with Bishop Dewane

Listening Session Guides

Dioceses and organizations have different ways for eliciting feedback. These are a few!

The Vatican

Diocese of Allentown

Leadership Roundtable

Diocese of Steubenville

Diocese of Salina