One of the great moments of the Church’s synodal journey is drawing near. In October 2023, the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will take place with the topic: “For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”. It will bring together representatives from all continents: laity, religious, bishops, priests and others. The Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement will have three participants, whose names have been published in the official list of guests: check details here.

Together: A vigil for the whole Church – Shall we go together?

The spiritual preparation for this large gathering will culminate with a vigil at the Vatican, summoned by Pope Francis.

On September 30th, the initiative “Together – An encounter of God’s people” and the ecumenical prayer vigil, presided over by the Holy Father in St. Peter’s Square, will take place. It will take place on the eve of the XVI General Assembly, invoking the Holy Spirit upon all those who will participate in the Synod.

The Taizé Community is organizing the event, which will be broadcast live on the Vatican’s communication channels. Since it will be an ecumenical event, there will be representatives of different denominations who will unite in worship and silence, listening to the Word.

The target audience of the vigil is young people between 18 and 35 years of age from all the ecclesial denominations, but everyone, regardless of age, is also invited to participate in this moment. There will be activities throughout the weekend in Rome.

Schoenstatt Together in the Original Shrine and in the World

United with the whole Church, the Schoenstatt Movement will also join in this prayer vigil.

A moment of prayer for the Synod will take place in the Original Shrine on September 30 from 20:00 to 21:00 (local time).

You can follow the webcam transmission and participate in this special moment through this link.

People from the Movement throughout the world are also invited to hold a moment of prayer for the Synod during the weekend of September 30. Groups will be able to gather in shrines, parishes and home shrines wherever possible to pray together for the Synod.

More information about the event can be found on this website – https://together2023.net/

The invitation of Pope Francis


“The path to Christian unity and the path of synodal conversion of the Church are linked. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that on Saturday 30 September, an ecumenical prayer vigil will be held on St. Peter’s Square, with which we will entrust the work of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. For the young people coming to the vigil, there will be a special programme throughout that weekend, entrusted to the Taizé community. As of now, I invite brothers and sisters of all Christian denominations to participate in this “Gathering of the People of God.”

Church Original Shrine Pope Francis Synod Synodality