The Opening Ceremony

The 14th General Synod of the Passionists has just started. In the video above, you can see the opening liturgy of the Synod: the Passionists gathered together under the cross located in the main courtyard of the Generalate of Sts. John and Paul prayed the Lord during a wonderful autumn day.

After the distribution of same cloth key chains – a symbol of the Solidarity that binds our religious men throughout the world – the opening procession started, moving toward the statue of S. Paul of the Cross . Once there, the Coordinators – the members who had a specific and active role in the animation of the Restructuring process – received a puzzle piece. Our presence there symbolized the deep connection between the journey that we are undertaking and the spirituality of our founder.

After the song Salve Sancte Pater, the synod members went to the Synod Hall. Once there we recomposed the whole puzzle, forming the Synod logo: the representation of the common effort to keep alive the spirit of solidarity, the key theme of the present discernment process. The song Veni Creator concluded the ceremony, by entrusting the Synod and its members to the Holy Spirit. May God’s will be accomplished through their work.