Une étape clé pour le  #synod2018  avec la présentation ce jour du projet de document final !  Depuis hier flottait un petit vent de curiosité et d'attente chez les pères synodaux très désireux de découvrir à quoi aller ressembler ce texte final ! Celui-ci doit permettre de ressaisir tout ce qui s'est dit et échangé durant ces jours de travail sur l'Instrumentum Laboris.  Ce matin, dans une atmosphère joyeuse et dynamique, nous nous sommes retrouvés après ces deux jours et demi de break pendant lesquels l'équipe de rédaction a travaillé d'arrache-pieds pour parvenir à rédiger en un temps court un texte dense et consistant explicitant l'étape de réflexion et discernement à laquelle le synode est arrivé.  Ce projet de texte a donc été introduit en plénière après le temps de prière de tierce qui ouvre toutes les journées de congrégation générale.  Nous avons assisté à la présentation très vivante de ce texte rédigé sous la conduite du rapporteur gé...

Seven women religious are participating in the Synod of Bishops on Young People, and offer their unique take on it, affirming that young people are truly being heard. Sr. Nathalie Becquart from France, Sr. Teresina Cheng Chaoying from China, Sr. Sally Marie Hodgdon from the US, Sr. Mina Kwon from Korea, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli from Italy, Sr. Lucy Muthoni Nderi from Kenya and Sr. María Luisa Berzosa González from Spain are representing women religious at the Synod of Bishops on Young People. They held a press conference on Monday evening. Before fielding questions, two of the English-speaking sisters provided their unique take on what is happening. Listening differently Sr Sally Marie Hodgdon, Superior General of the Sisters of St Joseph of Chambéry observes that those participating in the Synod of Bishops came “wanting to do something new” and there is “a sense of openness to what they were hearing”. In her 4-minute intervention, Sr Sall...

Seguimos en “modo Sínodo”. Estamos en la mitad del proceso iniciado el 3 de este mes ,  como recordaréis. Esta semana comenzó con la noticia que arrasó en todas las Redes:  la carta del Cardenal Ouellet a Mons. Viganó.  Revivimos el dolor por el tema pero también el consuelo de la claridad firme y fraterna. Continuamos alternando en el ritmo diario  la escucha de las diversas intervenciones en asamblea plenaria, siempre referidas al Instrumentum  Laboris ahora ya en su parte II:  Interpretar.  Fe y discernimiento vocacional.  Hay un eje que atraviesa toda esa parte,  de modo especial su capítulo V,  que es el acompañamiento,  tema que resuena dentro y fuera de las sesiones. En la asamblea también hay turno de intervenciones libres y hemos escuchado  la voz de los jóvenes, -directa,  clara  firme y muy crítica- ya sabemos que son pocos en número,  pero procedentes de lugares y culturas muy diversas ...

The Synod days are passing quickly! We have now finished Part II of Instumentum Laboris and will listen to the group reports  this afternoon. Much of Part II is focused on vocation, accompaniment and discernment. Once again the discussions in the small groups are very enriching. The suggested changes to the Instrumentum Laboris come from everyone in the group with many excellent contributions from the youth. Our presence yesterday at the canonization with over 75,000 other pilgrims, was a great experience for the youth and for all of us. The new saints,  all models of faithfulness to their particular call, are examples for the youth and for us, of women and men who challenged themselves to move out  of their comfort zones, to be with those in need in a variety of ways, according to their reality. May they intercede for our Synod as we work for a  more participative Church who welcomes all. Sister Sally Hodgdon

Santo Padre, carissimi Padri sinodali, cari fratelli e sorelle, giovani che ci scaldate il cuore… La prima e la seconda parte del documento non possono essere slegate. Pensare, e il documento cerca di farlo, a quei giovani che abbiamo cercato di ascoltare nella prima parte, per poter dire qualcosa sull’accompagnamento. I cambiamenti rapidissimi a cui stiamo assistendo, l’evoluzione dell’intelligenza artificiale e le trasformazioni tecnologiche, ci prospettano uno scenario in cui i lavori cambiano molto velocemente: alcuni scompaiono, altri si trasformano; è faticoso per i giovani orientarsi nel mondo del lavoro, e dare il proprio contributo perché esso sia più umano. La formazione e l’orientamento al lavoro vanno ripensate: il processo di studio e formazione non è più lineare. Accompagnare i giovani in questo processo significa aiutare a sviluppare personalità solide (ma non monolitiche) in un mondo fluido, persone che riescono a fare scelte importanti di vita anch...

I like to share something real and vivid , so I would like to testify the holiness of our young people as a witness.  I stay in CIAM in Urbaniana University with around 40 delegates, a Cardinal, many Bishops, and many young delegates. Today at lunch time, we, the elders including me, were astonished to see unexpected situation. Our lovely four young delegates began to serve the meals for us. Suddenly the atmosphere of our dinning room was filled with joy and happiness. There was no external force from the elders. Other young people also wanted to serve us at that time. Sadly, they were unemployed.  The young declare themselves to be open to spirituality. I would like to highlight the potential young generation have. Especially, volunteer work is a clue to their willingness to take responsibility, and their wish to make the most of the talents, initiative and creativity they have ( Instrumentum Laboris Art. 27) . The free gift of self in love also has a great pot...

1 - Emmaüs Au début de l’Instrumentum Laboris (texte de l’instrument de travail qui sert de base aux travaux du synode), l’objectif du synode est exprimé ainsi:   "Prendre soin" des jeunes n’est pas une tâche facultative pour l’Église, c’est une part substantielle de sa vocation et de sa mission dans l’histoire. C’est cela qui est à la racine de l’enjeu spécifique du prochain Synode : comme le Seigneur a marché avec les disciples d’Emmaüs (cf. Lc 24, 13-35), l’Église est invitée à accompagner tous les jeunes, sans exception, vers la joie de l’amour. L’image donnée comme modèle de l’accompagnement des jeunes est celle d’Emmaüs, image que nous utilisons souvent d’ailleurs dans la pastorale des jeunes ; Cette image a pris une force particulière pour moi en ces premiers jours de synode. J’ai vraiment l’impression que le Christ marche avec nous ici dans une grande proximité comme avec ses deux disciples d’Emmaüs. Dans les interventions des pères synodaux s’expriment...

It is the time for listening and praying. Synod Hall is becoming the place for vital and fruitful listening to the voices – from different ages, languages, cultures, experiences, etc. There is no barrier to communicate here. By the presence of the Holy Spirit, the process of the Synod would become the Pentecost for the Youth, the Church and the world. Sr. Mina KWON (Domina), SPC

The synod experience is actually a gift, I am touched by the fact that the church represented by the synod participants acknowledges the need to be authentic, relational, empathetic and listening. In fact the key word is listening.  "La chiesa può farsi ascoltare dai giovani ascoltando i giovani"  can this be translated to: "The church can be meaningful to the young if it listens to them. Sr. Lucy

"We had a beautiful opening Mass of #synod2018 this morning ... I was particularly touched by this celebration which gave us to live a strong experience of the universal Church. I have felt the presence of Christ who brings us together in his Eucharist and in this synodal assembly. He is at the center of the synod, the One who gather us. Pope Francis gave us a deep and rich homily and came to greet us at the end. Great joy also to meet the young people I know from the pre-synod who are here as abservers, the other religious sisters, as well as fr Alois, the prior of Taizé with two of his brothers." Read the Francis' Homily