The Catholic Church’s journey of synodality is not just an ecclesiastical exercise but a fundamental shift in how the Church engages its people, particularly the youth.
This was the central message of Dr. Jake Yap, a professor at the Loyola School of Theology, in his talk titled “Prospects for Formation in Synodality for Young People” at a gathering of “collaborators” in a dialogue organized by the Institute of Formation Fondacio Asia in Tagaytay City, Philippines on Feb. 9.
Yap began his address with an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But, if you want to go far, go with others. Go together.” This, he said, encapsulates the very essence of synodality.
“What we want is to go far, and therefore, we need one another, and we need to go together with others,” he emphasized.
Synod unlike any other
The recent Synod on Synodality—officially the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops—was a historic moment for the Church.
The three-year process involved voices from different continents, with a striking presence of women and young people among the delegates. He recounted a moment that captured the synod’s spirit: “The youngest delegate is 19 years old, a man from the U.S., a student. And as a joke, he asked Pope Francis to sign a letter to excuse him from class because he was still studying.”
Yap pointed out that the final document of the synod is not a rigid blueprint but rather “an authoritative orientation for the Church’s life and mission.”
Unlike previous synods that concluded with a post-synodal apostolic exhortation from the Pope, Francis has indicated that “this is it! This final document is, in a way, this post-synodal exhortation.”
Formation in Missionary Church
Focusing on young people, Yap stressed the importance of formation in the synodal journey. “Our concern is young people, that’s our commonality, but we are also concerned, especially for their formation,” he said, adding that the goal is to align their formation with the Church’s evolving synodal orientation.
He highlighted the final document’s five thematic parts, which draw inspiration from the Gospel story of the miraculous catch of fish. These stages reflect the Church’s mission: “being on the boat together,” “casting the net,” “experiencing the abundant catch,” and ultimately, “being sent.”
The final stage, “Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship,” underscores the role of formation in preparing young people to live as missionary disciples.
“The purpose of synodality is mission,” Yap emphasized, citing Pope Paul VI’s words from Evangelii Nuntiandi: “The church exists to evangelize.”
Three Pillars: Communion, Participation, and Mission
A recurring theme throughout the synod was the triad of communion, participation, and mission. Yap reiterated that these principles are at the heart of the Church’s synodal vision.
“Shared synodal formation for all the baptized constitutes the horizon,” he quoted from the final document.
He explained that formation must be integrated, ongoing, and shared, engaging young people on all levels—intellectual, spiritual, and practical. “It must include concrete experiences that are appropriately accompanied,” he added.
One major challenge, Yap noted, is the lack of participation in the Church’s synodal process. “We wish everybody would be one more and doing their part. But what’s the reality? Lack of participation,” he said, stressing the need for more engagement at all levels.
Call to discipleship
Yap argued that a more biblical term for formation is “making disciples.” He pointed to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands his followers: “Go, make disciples of all the nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.”
He underscored that the main verb in the passage is not “go” or “baptize” but “make disciples.” “That’s what we are aiming at when we say we are forming young people for a more synodal church. What we are doing is making disciples,” he explained.
Walking together
Yap acknowledged that the synodal journey is still in its early stages. “We know what we want. We want to arrive at the kingdom of God. We want to bring more and more people to the Lord. It’s for a mission. But how do we get there? Well, generally, it’s together,” he said.
Quoting Pope Francis, he reminded the audience that implementing the synod’s vision will require “various mediations.” The Holy Father has emphasized that “time is needed in order to arrive at decisions that involve the whole church.”
Despite the challenges, Yap stressed that “hope does not disappoint,” echoing the final document’s call for perseverance in the Church’s mission.
