Synod of Bishops
Synod of Bishops
XII General Synod
The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church
XI General Synod
The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the life and mission of the Church
The Synod of Bishops was established by Pope Paul VI to keep alive the spirit of collegiality experience by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council.
The office of the Synod of Bishops provides a useful summary of its work and the synod process.
- Synod of Bishops
- Synod process (pdf) — a useful description from Zenit
XII General Synod
The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church
Documents
Resources
Prayer
- Download the Prayer (pdf)
Lord Jesus Christ,
whom the Father has commanded us to listen as his beloved Son,
shed your light upon your Church,
so that she might have nothing more holy
than to listen to your voice and follow you.
You are the Supreme Shepherd and Ruler of Souls.
Look then upon the Pastors of your Church
gathered in these days with the Successor of St. Peter in synod assembly.
We implore you to sanctify them in truth
and confirm them in faith and love.
Lord Jesus Christ,
send forth your Spirit of love and truth
on the bishops in synod
and on all who assist them in fulfilling their task.
Make them more faithful to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches;
stir their souls and teach them truth by that same Holy Spirit.
Through their work, may the faithful of their Churches
be purified and strengthened in spirit,
so that they might greater follow the Gospel
through which you accomplished salvation
and they might make of themselves a living offering to the heavenly Father.
May Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God
and Mother of the Church,
assist the Bishops in these days,
as she assisted the Apostles in the Upper Room,
and intercede with motherly affection
to foster brotherly communion among them,
to allow them to rejoice in prosperity
and peace in the calmness of these days,
and, in reading the signs of the times,
to celebrate the majesty of the merciful God, the Lord of History,
to the praise and glory of the Most Blessed Trinity,
Father Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The prayer published by the Vatican for the success of the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
XI General Synod
The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the life and mission of the Church
Year of the Eucharist
The Synod on the Eucharist was prepared for by a Year of the Eucharist.
- Homily of John Paul II
preached during the Mass for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. June 10, 2004 - Mane Nobiscum Domine
Apostolic Letter for the Year of the Eucharist - Year of the Eucharist — Suggestions and Proposals
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments - Introduction — letter of Bishop Mark Jabalé
- Lenten talk on the Eucharist — Bishop Brian Noble
Documents
- Lineamenta
- Instrumentum Laboris
- pdf document (c. 60 pages)
Apostolic Exhortation
- Sacramentum Caritatis
- Introducing Sacramentum Caritatis — leaflet (pdf)
Resources
- Resources for Worship of the Eucharist
- Material for Parish use in preparation for and during the Synod of Bishops
- Complete Booklet (pdf)