ROME - Lay Centre deputy-director Dr. Filipe Domingues was present in the Synod Hall for the moment of reflection with Pope Francis, on the eve of the official inauguration of the diocesan phase of the Synod for all the dioceses around the world.

“In the one People of God, therefore, let us journey together, in order to experience a Church that receives and lives this gift of unity, and is open to the voice of the Spirit,” Pope Francis said.

He stressed that the Synod is an “ecclesial moment” - not a parliament or an investigation into opinions - whose protagonist is the Holy Spirit. ''Without the Spirit, there is no Synod,” he said.

The next day, on Sunday morning Oct. 10, long before dawn, a group of Lay Centre residents and staff made their way to St. Peter’s Basilica for the official inauguration of the diocesan phase of the Synod. At Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, presided by Pope Francis and attended by faithful from around the world.  

Pope Francis took the day’s Gospel reading, recounting Jesus’ encounter with a rich young man, as the starting point for a reflection on synodality: “Celebrating a Synod,” he said, “means walking on the same road, together.” 

Photos courtesy Lay Centre staff and scholars