It is about living "This is my body, given for you" each day, he wrote, and it requires "a constant attitude, made up of acceptance, compassion, tenderness, a style that speaks with deeds rather than with words, expressing the language of proximity."

The pope's remarks were part of a speech he had prepared for deacons preparing to be ordained priests of the Diocese of Rome for an audience at the Vatican on Feb 24.

Even though the meeting was cancelled because the pope was experiencing "flu-like symptoms," according to the Vatican, the speech was published online and given to those invited to the audience.

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The commission will meet once a month and report directly to the pope in a yearly meeting.

The oversight committee is part of the pope's reform of the governance of the Rome Diocese, a reorganization that centralizes more of the diocese's activities under his authority.

In a document issued Feb 15, Pope Francis established norms for the commission and nominated its first members.

The six-member commission is intended to act as internal oversight on financial, administrative, and legal issues for the Diocese of Rome, as stated in the apostolic constitution issued Jan 6.

The members of the supervisory group are appointed for a three-year term. All six members are laypeople who come from the professional world.

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He repeatedly stressed the Holy Spirit's role in decision-making.

The three-phase synod opens next month with a diocesan phase, which will run until April.

A second, continental phase will take place from September 2022 to March 2023.

The third, universal phase will begin at the Vatican in October 2023 with the Synod of Bishops and will be themed: "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission."

Synodality, is a concept at the heart of Francis's pontificate.

Some Vatican commentators say the upcoming synod is the most significant Catholic event since the Second Vatican Council in 1962-65.

Speaking to Catholics from the Diocese of Rome of his hopes for the synod, Francis said: "The theme of synodality ... expresses the nature of the Church, its form, its style, its mission.

"And so we speak of a Synodal Church, avoiding, however, to consider that it is just one title among others, a way of thinking about it that foresees alternatives."

This way of thinking isn't simply a "theological opinion" or merely a "personal thought," but rather the blueprint for the Church contained in the Acts of the Apostles, which shows the early Christian community "walking together."

The New Testament shows how the first Christians resolved their seemingly irreconcilable differences by gathering together and listening to each other to make decisions, Francis noted.

Describing how the faith is passed on from one generation to the next, Francis recalled fidelity to tradition does not consist of "the worship of ashes but the preservation of fire."

Earlier this month, the Vatican released a preparatory document and handbook to help dioceses worldwide to take part.

The pope said the initial listening phase was critical because it sought to involve "the totality of the baptized."

"There are many resistances to overcome the image of a Church rigidly distinguished between leaders and subordinates, between those who teach and those who must learn, forgetting that God likes to overturn positions," he commented.

Meditating on the meaning of belonging to the "people of God," Francis said it is not a matter of "exclusivity" but of receiving a gift that comes with the responsibility to witness to God."

The Holy Spirit knows no boundaries and parishes should therefore be open to all and not limit themselves "to considering only those who attend or think like you," he said.

"Allow everyone to enter... Allow yourselves to go out to meet them and allow yourselves to be questioned, let their questions be your questions, allow yourselves to walk together: the Spirit will lead you, trust the Spirit. Do not be afraid to enter into dialogue and allow yourselves to be disturbed by the dialogue: it is the dialogue of salvation."

"I have come here to encourage you ... and to tell you that the Holy Spirit needs you...".

"It will be good for ... the whole Church, which is strengthened ... if it rediscovers that it is a people that wants to walk together, among ourselves and with humanity."

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Image: SkyNews

A permanent catechumenate would guide couples beyond their marriage in preparation and celebration, into the first year of their life together, Francis told the audience of priests, deacons, and lay people.

The serious journey of preparation for Christian marriage, should not be "reduced to a few meetings" he said.

"Marriage is not just a 'social' event, but a true sacrament that involves an adequate preparation and a conscious celebration.

"The marriage bond, in fact, requires an engaged choice on the part of the engaged couple, which focuses on the will to build together something that must never be betrayed or abandoned."

Francis said marriage preparation is best achieved through joint efforts by priests and married couples.

He stressed the importance and pre-eminence of the role of the parish priest.

Francis said often the roots of problems that come to light after the marriage has been celebrated.

Some of these relate to (previously unrecognised) immaturity.

Mostly the problems point to weakness of the Christian faith "and in the lack of ecclesial accompaniment, in the solitude in which the newlyweds are often left after the celebration of the wedding.

"Only when faced with everyday life together, which calls spouses to grow in a journey of self-giving and sacrifice, do some realize that they have not fully understood what they were getting into."

Francis says the extended preparation and accompanying tine will help couples "learn to correspond to the grace and strength of God, and will also develop the ‘antibodies' needed to face the inevitable moments of difficulty and fatigue in married and family life."

At the same time more effective pastoral care will help couples acquire the tools and support to live their vocation.

"And this can only happen through a process of growth in the faith of the couples themselves," Francis says.

If there are "serious problems" in a couple's relationship, Francis says "it is necessary to help them to revive the faith and rediscover the grace of the Sacrament; and, in certain cases—to be evaluated with righteousness and inner freedom—to offer appropriate indications to undertake a process of nullity."

Francis said people who realise theirs is not a true sacramental marriage and want to leave can get support from clergy and pastoral workers.

The support will include communicating legal norms and "above all in an attitude of listening and understanding," Francis says.

In previous annual addresses to the Rota, Francis has insisted on the need for improvements to instruction for couples.

Source

• Asia News
• Catholic News Agency
• Image: Elizabethannedesigns