The Vatican hosted the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, marking the first global gathering to translate the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops into action.
Organized by the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops, the three-day event in October gathered more than a thousand priests, religious, and lay leaders from around the world to discuss ways of advancing synodality through dialogue, participation, and discernment.
From Thailand, a delegation of seven attended the meeting, including three priests, one religious sister, and three laywomen.
Among them was Sr. Marierak Kraithongsuk, SHC, who described the gathering as “an important event aimed at recognizing the value of the Synodal Teams and the individuals who serve within them, thereby affirming the commitment to building an ever more synodal Church within the horizon of hope we celebrate in the Jubilee.”
Sr. Marierak said the program included “moments of formation and exchange among participants as well as liturgical celebrations.”
The highlight of the opening day was an Encounter-Dialogue with Pope Leo XIV, during which representatives from seven geographical regions shared their experiences of implementing synodality in their local Churches and posed questions to the Holy Father.
“It was inspiring to hear Pope Leo XIV talk about the importance of synodality for the Church and for the world,” Sr. Marierak told LiCAS News.
“He reminded us that everyone has something to offer and emphasized the value of dialogue — and indeed, we had plenty of it throughout the weekend,” she added.
Sr. Marierak noted that the Pope listened attentively and encouraged participants “to leave everything under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
On the second day, participants made a Jubilee pilgrimage through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by language-based workshops that encouraged shared reflection and collaboration.
“New ideas came forth during the conversations,” she said. “When we work together, the recommendations are not only powerful — there are so many things that people can already do on their own in their local Church and offer a lot.”
The meeting concluded on Sunday, 26 October, with a solemn Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Basilica.
In his homily, the Pope urged synodal teams to embody the spirit of discernment outlined in the Synod’s Final Document:
“Ecclesial discernment requires interior freedom, humility, prayer, mutual trust, openness to the new, and surrender to the will of God,” the Pope said. “It is never just a setting out of one’s own point of view or a summing up of differing opinions. Being a synodal Church means recognizing that truth is not possessed, but sought together, allowing ourselves to be guided by a restless heart in love with Love.”
He then called the faithful to build “a more humble Church — one that bends down to wash the feet of humanity, that welcomes all, and that listens to God so that it may listen to everyone.”
Reflecting on the experience, Sr. Marierak said, “It has been a gift to be part of this journey. You saw both the universal Church at work in synodality and the People of God walking together in hope.”
