“God is a master of surprises”…

Testimony of the experience of the Synod

Life, every day, surprises us with some unexpected gifts, and this is what happened to Bogumila and me, when we received the invitation to participate in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod that was held in Rome from October 4 to 27. The question that came from our hearts: Were we ready for it? With our fears, we both accepted.

From September 30, every day, according to the shifts prepared by Camilo, coordinator of the attendees, we went to the Paul VI Hall. Little by little we realized how much we were receiving: more knowledge of the church, the richness of other cultures, the different ways of thinking, the very diverse faces, sitting around a table to dialogue and listen, the silence, the conversation in the spirit… a vision of the Church desired and wanted by all… and the Spirit who guides all God’s people.

During this synodal time, many concerns and also hopes have arisen. We are clear that our mission is to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, cultures and realities, … but we must do so in a synodal key,… walking together… we have to be transparent in our lives, in our way of acting; and to make decisions to give real shape to the coexistence of differences. A lot of dialogue and a lot of listening… The harmony of the Spirit has been guiding …

The experience of the Synod has confirmed to us: that it is possible to walk together in diversity, that we must not be rigid, that shared words must always be accompanied by deeds and that time is needed for choices that involve the whole Church.

We have received a great gift, as Pope Francis reminded us in his concluding words: “The Document on which the Synod members have expressed their vote is a threefold gift for the Universal Church. First of all, it is a gift for him as Bishop of Rome who needs to put listening into practice. A gift for all the people of God and a gift that cannot remain only in us.” Let us not waste this great gift that is given to us, let us open it, share it, and, above all, let us live it.

Finally, one word resonates in our hearts: THANK YOU.

Thank God for this time of the Spirit. Thank you that the Church continues to have something to say to our reality, sometimes so far from God. Thank you because, despite the differences, we all still have a place and are able to listen to each other. Thank you for this experience of simple service, of shared work with other religious and priests, which enriched us and helped us to create a family. Thank you that we are more aware of what it means to “carry the weight of the Church”. Thank you for the beauty of the Church in its synodality, for communion and sharing with other churches. Thank you to the Congregation for allowing us to live this experience. Thank you to Pope Francis for his closeness, welcome, patience… and because he never tires of believing in human beings.

May the harmony of the Spirit that we have experienced these days continue as we leave this room…

Bogumiła Pistelok and Beatriz Mª Pereiro, RMI