Spiritual Preparation for the Opening of the Synod 2023

It has been suggested we use the 7 days between the Opening Ceremony for the Synod 2023 in Rome on Sunday 10 October and the Opening of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Sunday 17 October as a time of spiritual preparation. Below are suggested prayer themes for each of the 7 days. You may wish to include these in the parish newsletter, include them in the Universal Prayer at daily Mass or use them for private prayer and meditation.

  • Monday 11 October: – For the Church. That we may journey as companions, side by side one another on the same road.
  • Tuesday 12 October: – For listening ears. That our hearts and minds be open to listening to others without prejudice.
  • Wednesday 13 October: – For the gift of speaking out. That we be encouraged in this Synod journey to speak with courage and boldness integrating freedom, truth, and love.
  • Thursday 14 October: For a Church that celebrates. That our journey together in the coming months will be based on listening together to the Word of God and the celebration of the Eucharist in the communion of the People of God.
  • Friday 15 October: – For our participation in the Mission of Christ. That through our Synodal journey together, we may grow in our shared responsibility of the mission that is entrusted to us.
  • Saturday 16 October:– For our discernment to be led by the Holy Spirit. That all decisions made on this Synodal path may be discerned though a consensus that flows from our common obedience to the Holy Spirit.
  • Sunday 17 October: – For a spirituality of journeying together. That we may be formed as disciples of Christ, as families, as communities, and as human beings, through our experience of this Synodal journey.

The Prayer of the Synod: Adsumus Sancte Spiritus:

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.


Sunday 17 October – Opening of the Synod in local Churches: Universal Prayer


In the absence of a deacon, the Universal Prayer are proclaimed by a Minister of the Word.


Priest: As we await with longing the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, dear brothers and sisters, let us with renewed devotion beseech his mercy, that, as he came into the world to bring the Good News to the poor
and to heal the contrite of heart, so in our own time, also, he may bring salvation to all in need.

Deacon: For God’s holy Church: (pause) may she shine out as a light to the nations and the universal sacrament of salvation. Lord, in your mercy

Deacon: For Francis our Pope, Mark our Bishop, and the holy, faithful People of God in the Diocese of Shrewsbury: (pause) that the celebration of this Synod may help us to discern God’s will and to boldly carry it out. Lord, in your mercy

Deacon: For all civil and public authorities: (pause) that they may always seek the common good, acting with justice and integrity. Lord, in your mercy

Deacon: For the sick, the lonely, the oppressed, and the suffering: (pause) that they may never be discarded, but rather treasured and cared for as the face of Christ in a suffering world. Lord, in your mercy

Deacon: For ourselves, gathered here: (pause) that this Synodal Process may lead us ever deeper into the communion of the Church, foster our participation in it, and equip us to go out on mission. Lord, in your mercy

Priest: O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.