(Vatican) This week, the Synod has completed its preliminary work on the third part of the Instrumentum Laboris. We are now beginning the final phase of our work. It has been a wonderful 17 days of listening, discussing, thinking, praying, and lots of hard work. During this week, the representatives of the USG – Union of Superiors General (Men) and of the UISG – International Union of Superiors General (Women) had the chance to personally meet Pope Francis together. He agreed to have his photo taken with all of us. The 15 of us in the photo represent approximately 1 million women and men religious – Sisters, Brothers, Priests and temporarily professed candidates – around the world, and most of us are engaged directly with pastoral care of young people through education, health, social ministry, preaching, and in many other forms of outreach.
It is significant that approximately one-third of the delegates to this Synod are religious – Cardinals, Bishops, Superior Generals, sisters, priests, and brothers. We pray that this event with bear fruit not only for young women and men but also for the whole People of God. May God bless and accompany Pope Francis in all his leadership and renewal of the Church.
Fr. Michael Brehl, CSsR
