The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, marked a significant moment on the world stage. As he begins his ministry, this is an opportune time for catechumenate teams and leaders to begin to understand Pope Leo’s vision for the church and how it impacts our ministry. A central teaching that he has emphasized both before and after his election has been the synodal nature of the church. Synodality simply means “walking together,” which is also an apt description of catechumenal accompaniment.
In his first address as pope, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo quoted St. Augustine who said: “With you I am a Christian and for you I am a bishop.” By this, he was indicating that as a church, “we can all walk together” (source).
Listening, welcoming, and journeying together
Synodality, for Pope Leo, is fundamentally about listening — first and foremost to the Holy Spirit, and then to one another (source). He has said that the roots of synodality can be traced not only to the Second Vatican Council but also to the early centuries of Catholicism (source).
The fundamental emphasis on attentive listening is a core principle of catechumenate ministry. If, as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults says, this is a journey “which varies according to the many forms of God’s grace” (OCIA 5), then our first and most important step in evangelization must be to listen to the stories of the seekers we encounter. Because the Holy Spirit is already at work in their lives, we have to listen to and discern their needs, their readiness, and how best to accompany them on their journey.
Walking alongside seekers in a synodal way
For catechumenate team leaders, understanding Pope Leo’s vision of synodality is crucial because it:
- Provides a clear mandate: Our ministry of accompaniment, listening, and welcoming is central to the pope’s vision for the entire church.
- Offers a theological foundation: The methods of journeying together and building relationships are rooted in the church’s understanding of itself as synodal.
- Highlights our vital role: Catechumenate teams are instrumental in building the synodal church that Pope Leo envisions, bringing seekers into a community of listening and welcome.
- Encourages ongoing reflection: It challenges teams to continually ask how we can embody synodality more deeply in the way we accompany seekers and the way we live as Christians.
Because the Holy Spirit is already at work in their lives, we have to listen to and discern their needs, their readiness, and how best to accompany them on their journey.
Why this vision is important for catechumenate ministry
This is the hour for love, as Pope Leo XIV said in his inaugural homily (source). He also said:
This is the missionary spirit that must animate us; not closing ourselves off in our small groups, nor feeling superior to the world. We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity that does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people. (source)
Understanding and living out synodality in our ministry is key to aligning our work with the direction of the church under Pope Leo XIV. To deepen our understanding of the essential nature of synodality in our ministry, please, join Team Initiation for our June speaker series on Synodality and the Catechumenate. Learn from experts and share insights with other leaders dedicated to accompanying seekers.
Share your thoughts
Please share your insights and reflections in the comments below. Let’s continue this dialogue. Your perspective helps us learn from one another and enriches all of us.
Coming This June: A Journey of Accompaniment and Mission!
Team Initiation Members—don’t miss our upcoming exclusive four-part online speaker series:
Embodying the Heart of Synodality through the Catechumenate
Join us as we explore what it means to walk with seekers and parishioners in a spirit of accompaniment.
📅 Mark your calendars:
Four Wednesdays in June 2025
11:00am Pacific / 2:00pm Eastern
(June 4, 11, 18, and 25)
👉 This series is available only to Team Initiation Members.
Not a member yet? Click here to join today.
