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^{Students from the Synodality CENTERS pilgrimage at a public audience with Pope Francis}

A group of Santa Clara University (SCU) students recently had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the 2024 synod gathering in Rome as part of the Synodality CENTERS pilgrimage. The students, representing the Jesuit School of Theology, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, were able to attend public synod events, meet with synod delegates, and gain a deeper understanding of the synodal process and how synodality can impact our day-to-day experience of community and the Church. 

After arriving in Rome, the pilgrimage began with a Eucharistic liturgy in the rooms of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, meeting up with JST-SCU’s Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J, a voting member of the Synod, and JST-SCU Professor Gina Hens-Piazza. Dan Finucane, S.J., a Jesuit in formation for ordination and a STL student from St. Louis, Missouri, reflected on the significance of the experience, noting that it provided a moment for the group to share their collective hopes and intentions for their time in Rome.

^{JST-SCU Students at the rooms of St Ignatius of Loyola with Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, Professor Gina Hens-Piazza, and Assistant Dean of Community Life Jenny Girard Malley}

On Monday, October 14, the group participated in a "teach-in" at the LaSallian Generalate. Didier Cimalamungo, S.J., a Jesuit Priest from the Democratic Republic of the Congo studying in the licentiate of sacred theology (S.T.L.) program at JST-SCU, shared about the impact of journeying with other students in the heart of the Catholic Church. "I'm discovering the rich tapestry of our faith," he said. "Each of us is a vital piece in the Church's great synodal puzzle."

Later in the week, students took part in a series of interreligious dialogues and conversations with synod delegates. Teresa Gasparin, a Verbum Dei Missionary sister from Australia, emphasized the importance of prayer and silence in fostering understanding and connection with people of different faith traditions. She recalled a particular exercise involving art that resonated deeply with her, "bringing our prayers together through art, we formed a sense of community where we blessed one another in awareness that the Infinite Mystery that we seek unfolds a little more every time we encounter one another." Paulina Thurmann, an M.T.S student, had the chance to attend lunch with women synod delegates, saying, “I was inspired by the duality of women delegates expressing the graces and challenges of working within a male-dominated synod; their model gives me hope for being a voice within my own community.”

^{JST-SCU Students at the Jesuit Curia with Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator and Assistant Dean of Community Life Jenny Girard Malley. Photo courtesy of Vivian Richard, S.J.}

One of the highlights of the pilgrimage was the opportunity to see Pope Francis at the Wednesday papal audience. Fabio Javier Colorado, a lay student from El Salvador pursuing a doctorate in sacred theology, highlighted the significance of the General Audience as a place where synodality can be felt. "Pope Francis talked about the Holy Spirit and his role as 'giver of life,'" Colorado said, emphasizing the importance of the Spirit's guidance on the synodal journey. Tomi Korsa, a M.Div. student, shared his gratitude for how Pope Francis “has empowered young people to believe that we have an equal place in the Church. My hope is that we ALL continue to walk together as the People of God toward a more loving, inclusive, and synodal Church.

^{Pope Francis}

Through their experience on this Rome immersion, students were “immersed in the spirit of synodality,” as one JST-SCU student framed it, and had a front row seat to the unfolding work of imaging the future of the Church. During their last full day, students even had a chance to visit the synodal hall where the synod has been taking place and ask a panel of organizers questions. In a closing session, Dean Orobator reminded students that synodality takes work and that each one of us is empowered to be a “servant of synodality,” contributing our collective efforts as we walk together in our day-to-day lives.