Synod on Synodality official events
In the afternoon of Oct. 12, synod members can take part in a group pilgrimage to several of Rome’s catacombs.
One week later, participants and members of the public are invited to join an evening prayer service for migrants and refugees in St. Peter’s Square, close to “Angels Unawares,” a bronze sculpture by artist Timothy Schmalz installed close to the colonnade in 2019.
Near the end of the assembly, on Oct. 25, the synod will pray a rosary together in the Vatican Gardens in honor of Mary and in commemoration of October being a month dedicated to the rosary.
The last full assembly meeting of the synod, after the approval of a document summarizing the month’s conversations, will conclude with the singing of the “Te Deum,” an ancient Latin hymn praising God.
Other prayer invitations
At the start of the Synod on Synodality, the leadership of St. Peter’s Basilica announced it had organized several additional opportunities to join in prayer during October.
Every day in the Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the basilica, an additional hour of Eucharistic adoration has been added at 7 p.m. to allow synod members to join at the end of their meetings. The general public is also invited to attend the Holy Hour, with the basilica closing at 8 p.m. instead of its usual October closing time of 6:30 p.m.
A candlelight rosary procession is also taking place every Saturday night in St. Peter’s Square, a continuation of an initiative that took place during the month of May. The intention of the rosary will be for the Synod on Synodality.
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On Oct. 10, Eucharistic adoration was held on the front portico of St. Peter’s Basilica, in front of the square, as it is held every second Tuesday of the month.
The bishop of Assisi has also invited synod members, on one of their free days in Rome, to make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of St. Francis. The town of Assisi is about 100 miles north of Rome and easily accessible by train.
Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency’s senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.