On Thursday, March 14, Fordham University students were invited to engage in Conversations of the Spirit. Led by facilitators, the event took place in the McShane Campus Center in room 311 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and allowed for members of the community to learn, grow and reflect on their participation in the Synod on Synodality. Pope Francis encouraged the U.S. Catholic Church to host conversations with young laity. The data collected at this listening session will be sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican.
“The Synod on Synodality has been deemed as a new way of being Church, and the Conversation in the Spirit provides a concrete pathway to participate in the Church and the Synod’s mission, with open hearts and minds to meet the Holy Spirit in one another.” The event offered an overview of the Synod on Synodality, provided an example of a Conversation in the Spirit, and the opportunity to share graces. As much as conversation is a pillar of this program, it was rooted in prayer and silence, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Immediately, the program provided students with a clear explanation of the meaning of the Synod, as the etymology means to walk together. According to the program, “The intention behind this Synod is conversion and transformation of heart through encounter, as opposed to concrete doctrinal changes. Overall, the Synod on Synodality is the active renewal and conversion of the Church, in order to foster a culture of encounter amongst all the People of God.”
The two pillars in constructing this event were AnnaMarie Pacione, FCRH ’26, and Mollie Clark, FCRH ’26. The two students traveled with nine others to study in Rome last semester to witness the Synod on Synodality. “Our goal since coming back is to bring synodality back to our communities — especially Fordham and other young people,” said Pacione. These two leaders used their research and experiences of synodality to create spaces for other students to experience conversation. “We believe that Conversations in the Spirit are one concrete way of experiencing and making synodality accessible, so it made sense to have these at Fordham… While the Synod on Synodality is seemingly happening at the institutional higher level, it is really about invigorating,involving and listening on the local level in our own communities,” Pacione shared.
The first thing Clark and Pacione did in organizing this event was finding facilitators to help lead conversation and reflection. They first reached out to communities they thought would have students of interest such as Curran Center for American Catholic Studies, Fordham’s Alpha Sigma Nu Chapter and Campus Ministry groups. However, anyone was welcome to train to be a facilitator. Pacione commented, “Just as the Church needs all of us, we believe anyone can be a leader and share their gifts here… It was a particular gift to watch a few facilitators who were new to the Synod learn about it, and step up as leaders by facilitating Conversations in the Spirit. A gift.”
Pacione emphasized, “The Church is asking for the voices of all people and that includes us, even though we may feel used to not being included. This is our time to not be too afraid to take up space and share our stories — the joys and difficulties, understanding the Holy Spirit dwells in each one. It takes courage to remain at the table of our Church and share our experiences openly (the beauty and the ugly) so I am so proud of all who responded to this invitation.”
The event was a huge success, and reflective of the impact Fordham students have. “I see the potential for this conversation in the Spirit model to aid in communal discernment, ensuring all voices are heard, in clubs, classrooms, families, friend groups, administrative spaces… everywhere! It is practical and makes sense as it respects all people and the sacred that exists in all,” said Pacione.
Clark revealed that they are interested in hosting more of these conversations surrounding synodality to students throughout the rest of the semester. For more information, follow @synodalfordham on Instagram.
