By Shannon Wei
“Synodality is an ecclesial journey that has a soul, which is the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit there is no synodality.” – Pope Francis to the International Theological Commission, 29 November, 2019.
From 25 September to 2 October 2023, I was blessed with an opportunity to spend a week in Rome and Vatican City as a participant in a third-year training programme organised by the Dicastery for Communication. The programme, titled “Faith Communication in the Digital World—A Synodal Perspective”, aimed to explore the best practices in spiritual formation and ignite inspiration for new and effective ways of faith communication through the digital media.
This programme brought together 16 young communicators from various corners of the globe, ranging between ages 24 to 33, many of whom were meeting each other for the first time. Our group represented a diverse array of cultures and regions, hailing mostly from Asia yet stretching as far as Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Brazil.
This immersion has instilled in me a renewed sense of purpose to serve God and His Church, especially in the field of communication, as a media assistant at Today’s Catholic. Reflecting on this synodal journey, here are some of the most meaningful insights I embrace from this programme:
1. To listen with the ‘ear of the heart’
Because of our diversity as a group, there were some occasional cultural and language barriers. However, the power of listening transformed these challenges into a vibrant and inspiring roundtable of faith stories. Being fully present for one another created an environment where we delved into meaningful conversations, with some of our fellow participants from regions marked by conflict, gender oppression and poverty among others, courageously sharing their personal experiences.
Through this openness, it allowed us to better understand one another’s perspectives and experiences, drawing both inspiration and strength, while enriching our collective journey as brothers and sisters in Christ. In recognising the importance of being attentive listeners, each and every one of us can provide a platform for many other stories to be heard, so that we may walk together in understanding and learning from one another.
2. Synodality is not exclusive, it is inclusive
During our week-long visit, we not only forged meaningful connections within our group, but also made many enriching encounters with people beyond, each driven by their own unique calling and gathered in Rome from all walks of life.
These interactions extended to the dedicated laypeople serving in various Vatican Dicasteries and organisations, as well as members of the clergy and religious from various orders in the Church. Their missions ranged from combating human trafficking to women’s empowerment among many other significant roles. We were also graced to meet some of the newly appointed Cardinals after the Consistory on 30 September, as well as an encounter of a lifetime with Pope Francis during the Wednesday General Audience.
These warm and welcoming encounters served as reminders that we are all bound together in communion, participation and mission to serve God. With these interactions leading up to the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, it left many of us young communicators with a profound sense of purpose and deepened belonging in the Church.
3. Silence is essential
In the words of His Holiness Pope Francis: “Silence, in the ecclesial community, makes fraternal communication possible, where the Holy Spirit draws together points of view.”
As we participated in the “Together” ecumenical prayer vigil, held at St Peter’s Square on the evening of 30 September, it was indeed a powerful and moving experience felt especially during the eight minutes of silent, personal prayer.
These eight minutes served as a unifying moment, drawing together a diverse assembly of Christian leaders including the Holy Father, representatives from the Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox and other denominations. Thousands of the faithful, both in-person and via livestream, also joined in this collective act of prayer.
During this time, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I also observed a beautiful and reaffirming sight—a lone single bird gracefully soaring in the sky—a poignant reminder of the Holy Spirit amidst this gathering, unifying us in this experience.
4. Embrace ‘learning by doing’
By embracing the ‘learning by doing’ process, it is recognising that synodality is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. During our week-long visit, we delved not only into the rich history of our Catholic faith, but also took a closer look into the evolution of communications and storytelling within the Vatican, spanning across the historical print era to modern broadcast and digital ages.
As communicators of faith in the digital realm, we learnt that mutual listening and storytelling come hand-in-hand for our mission in using the tools available to us. The journey calls for a blend of creativity, trust and commitment to work together in one spirit of collaboration and communion, especially as we journey alongside the Church in the years to come.
5. Continue to embrace the Synodal way of living—go forth and spread the Word of God
“Communion, participation, mission”—these three words echo whenever and wherever the Synod is mentioned. Embracing the synodal way is not just a choice; but a calling to participate, an invitation to let the Spirit guide us towards a stronger and deeper connection between one another, with a unified love for Christ and His Church.
Furthermore, as communicators, we are all influencers—big or small. No matter what we say or do, there is someone watching, someone who is influenced by us. So let us walk in the light of the Lord, listening and learning from one another and sharing the oneness of the Spirit!
