Gubbio and Flat Francis traveled with Marisa Ferrara, our parish’s Elementary Formation and First Sacraments Coordinator, and students from the University of Dayton in Ohio in mid-October to Italy. Flat Francis says, “We embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome, one that would bring us face-to-face with the heart of the Church’s discussions on synodality. Alongside over 150 students, campus ministers, and educators from 15 U.S. Catholic universities, we joined the Catholic Education Network to Encounter Rome and Synodality (CENTERS) group to explore what it means to build a more inclusive and representative Church.”
As you might imagine, having Gubbio, an Umbrian wolf, and a ‘flat friar’ traveling with this group was unusual, but Marisa ensured we felt welcomed in the student group! “Our week began,” mentioned Gubbio, “ with ‘synodal teach-ins’ held at the Lasallian Generalate.” The discussions mirrored the synod’s structure of ‘conversations in the spirit,’ dividing into smaller groups to discuss key topics on the Synod’s agenda, including women’s roles, LGBTQ inclusion, climate justice, migration, and interfaith dialogue. Flat Francis says, “We joined the climate justice group (my favorite as the Patron Saint of the Environment, of course!), where we exchanged ideas about how the Church can better address environmental issues and developed questions to bring to Synod delegates.” All the delegates were inspired to see so many young Catholics passionately engaging with the issues that will shape the Church’s future.
“One of the most significant moments,” mentioned Marisa, “came during a private audience in the Paul VI Hall, where we could ask questions directly to Synod delegates.” It was structured so each university chose a representative to ask one pressing question, such as, “How can the Church reach young people who feel disconnected or hurt, and why should they care about synodality?” “Hearing these words spoken to Church leaders in the Vatican was a powerful experience,” said Marisa, “and I felt heard as they responded with empathy and understanding.”
Outside of official gatherings, the delegates could engage informally with Synod delegates. “I’ll never forget our lunch with Sr. Maria Cimperman,” says Flat Francis, “as she shared about the powerful process of building relationships throughout the different sessions of the synod and how that transformed how people dialogued about hot topics.” “The more relationships grew,” said Sr. Cimperman, “the more trust grew. The more trust involved, the more empathy and deep listening occurred.” Even after three weeks of synod engagement, her excitement and energy were tangible and contagious!
Attending Pope Francis’ weekly General Audience was an especially moving experience for all delegates. “As he passed through the crowd, blessing babies and praying over people,” remembered Flat Francis, “I felt the joy of belonging to a global Church.” The ceremony was dedicated to peace, and hearing the Pope say in Italian, “Queste differenze sono riconciliati,” meaning “These differences are reconciled” in English, reminded us of our unity as a Church despite our diversity. His call for peace, “Ricordiamo che la guerra è sempre, sempre una sconfitta,“ Let us remember that war is always, always a defeat,” again in English, resonated deeply.
To cap off the week, the CENTERS received an extraordinary invitation for a private encounter with Synod delegates, which was also the Vatican’s first live-streamed event with university students. Our group reflected on the complex questions we had wrestled with all week, including how decisions within the Church impact people of other faiths. Complex questions can lead to profound change. “Our discussions reminded me,” Flat Francis says, “that the Church’s journey toward inclusivity is ongoing and requires each of us to be willing to listen and ask these questions.”
“One of the most important things I learned was that my agenda, in this moment and season, may not be the Church’s agenda,” recalled Gubbio. The Synod is, by design, not the voting place for hot topics; the purpose of the Synod is to create a structure of listening and discernment to better engage with each other and discuss issues in the future. We learned we must practice holy patience and leave from the Holy Spirit to mold and shape our Church. “Our progressive parish in Raleigh is located in a place of profound privilege, and while pushing the envelope remains a duty, we need to listen to the Church as a whole and to the needs of all. “We must let the Spirit mature us,” Flat Francis learned, adding, “This experience has given me hope for a Church that is truly for all its followers, one that listens, learns, and acts in love.”
Flat Francis and Gubbio were thrilled with their experience and thanked Marisa for including them! “It isn’t often that such ‘unusual characters’ have this opportunity,” said both of them, “we are glad we can share our experience with all of you at St. Francis of Assisi!”
