A new version of the Click to Pray 2.0 app, available for iOS and Android phones, encourages prayers for the Synod of Bishops. The app is an initiative of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. (CNS photo/courtesy Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network)
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, said in the process to create a more “synodal church,” one where every member contributes and all listen to each other, “we are touching something divine, and prayer is essential.” The synod office, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and the women’s International Union of Superiors General have joined forces not only to encourage prayers, but to collect them, share them and build a global community of people praying for the synod and each other. Their efforts are built on two main platforms: an updated version of Click to Pray, an app and website run by the prayer network, and www.prayforthesynod.va. Both were unveiled Oct. 19 at a Vatican news conference. The superiors general are soliciting prayers for the synod and its preparation process from members of women’s and men’s monasteries and contemplative communities. Through Oct. 31, those prayers will be posted on the website; beginning Nov. 1, anyone can submit a prayer, said Patrizia Morgante, UISG communications officer. The prayers also will be posted on the Click to Pray 2.0 app and can be added to the websites of religious orders, parishes or dioceses with an RSS feed. In addition to carrying prayers for the synod, especially during the preparatory phase that began in early October, the upgraded Click to Pray app has added features, including notifications so that people can set it to remind them to pray at the time they choose each morning, midday and night.
Synod is about listening to the Holy Spirit, speakers say The most important thing to come out of the first Vatican session of the Synod on Synodality was an understanding of what it means to proceed together on the path of listening for the Holy Spirit, according to four people who were in Rome for the Oct. 4-29 meeting.
Synod synthesis shows agreement, divergences, including on ‘synodality’ A report summarizing discussions at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops said the church may need more welcoming pastoral approaches, especially to people who feel excluded, but also acknowledged fears of betraying traditional church teachings and practices.
Wanting to ‘control’ God, confine him to an agenda is idolatry, pope says To reform the church is to put God first and adore him, and to love and serve others, Pope Francis said at Mass marking the conclusion of the first session of the Synod of Bishops on synodality.