ROME – A delegation from the Diocese of Camden embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome from Oct. 23 to 28, participating in the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies held at the Vatican.
The gathering provided not only a profound liturgical experience, but also an opportunity to engage deeply with the ongoing synodal process shaping the Church worldwide.
“‘Mission’ was the first word Pope Leo XIV offered to the clergy and lay leaders,” said Bishop Joseph Williams, who led the diocesan delegation. “This word was music to my ears, since it underscored the relationship between synodality (a Church that walks together) and mission (a Church that goes forth together).”
Those to participate in synod talks at the Vatican were: Father Jon Thomas, diocesan vicar general, as well as the Diocese’s seven secretaries: Andrés Arango, director of Evangelization and Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry, of the Secretariat for Discipleship and Evangelization, Latino and Multicultural Ministries; Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, executive director of Catholic Charities of South Jersey, of the Secretariat for Community Outreach; Nicole Keefer, executive director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, of the Secretariat for Health and Well-Being; Laura Montgomery, CFO, of the Secretariat for Administration and Finance; Donna Ottaviano-Britt, director of the Office of Discipleship and Leadership, of the Secretariat for Discipleship and Evangelization; Michael Walsh, director of the Office of Communication, of the Secretariat for Communication; and Dr. Bill Watson, superintendent of Catholic Schools, of the Secretariat for Catholic Education.
“The Church is called to serve, not to be served,” said Ottaviano-Britt – who was instrumental in leading the synod process in the Diocese of Camden. “God’s kingdom is here and now, and we are called to labor here for love of Him, and our brothers and sisters – those with us and those who are far. We must be missionary in our discipleship.”
Pilgrimage and Participation
On Friday afternoon, Oct. 24, the group attended an audience with Pope Leo XIV, joining synodal representatives from around the world who shared updates and reflections on the global synodal process. During that session, the Holy Father emphasized that “the purpose of synodality … is to help the Church fulfill its primary role in the world, which is to be missionary, to announce the Gospel, to give witness to the person of Jesus Christ in every part of the world, to the ends of the earth.”
The next morning brought a powerful symbol of pilgrimage: More than 1,000 delegates processed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, then descended into the crypt of past popes before culminating the walk at the basilica’s main altar. That afternoon, the Diocese’s delegation engaged in workshops and discussions on themes such as Youth and Synodality, The Spirituality of Co-Responsibility, and Nurturing Synodality in the Local Church.
As a Vatican press release noted, the Jubilee marked the first collective moment of the implementation phase of the 2021-2024 Synod of Bishops on Synodality, bringing together around 2,000 members of synodal and participatory bodies from across the globe.
On Sunday at 10 a.m., the diocesan team attended Mass at St. Peter’s celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, and concelebrated by Bishop Williams and Father Thomas. In his homily, the Holy Father underscored that “the supreme rule in the Catholic Church is love, which compels all of the faithful to serve, not to judge, exclude or dominate others.”
Following Mass, the delegation joined the pope for the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square – which, they said, was an uplifting conclusion to their Roman pilgrimage.
The final leg of the trip brought the group to Assisi – where they reflected on evangelization, service and community. Guided by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, director of International Affairs for the Diocese of Assisi, the delegates were blessed with a relic of Saint Carlo Acutis. Bishop Williams and Father Thomas celebrated Mass at the chapel of Casa Papa Giovanni, a favorite of Saint Carlo, followed by visits to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation (where Saint Carlo is venerated), and the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi at the Papal Basilica and Sacred Convent of Saint Francis.
“The life of Saint Carlo Acutis reminded me of three themes that also really resonated with me at the Vatican meetings,” said Dr. Watson. “Accompaniment, formation and hope.”
“In Catholic Schools, we think about how we accompany students and parents, how parents accompany students. But I think Saint Carlo’s life reminds us that students accompany us, too,” he said.
When it comes to formation, he said, “We provide for students, but it’s important for us to be well-formed ourselves. It’s important for all of us to pray, to learn, and to stay close to Jesus so that we can discern together what His will is for all of us and His Church.”
“The life of Saint Carlo gives me hope,” he continued. “With all the experiences I’ve had this week, I’ve been filled with hope for our students, hope for our Church, and hope for our world.”
From Pilgrimage to Practice
The Jubilee gathering at the Vatican underscored the Church’s pastoral imperative to move forward together – not simply as individual travelers, but as a synodal Church. As Pope Leo XIV said in his homily on Oct. 26, “No one is called to dominate; all are called to serve. … No one possesses the whole truth; we must all humbly seek it and seek it together.”
The Diocese of Camden’s participation in this event signals both affirmation of and commitment to those words, delegates said
“No matter where we are planted, this is our vineyard, and there are many who need Jesus,” Ottaviano-Britt said. “I hope to continue to co-labor in love so others know they are loved.”
Indeed, in the coming months, many of the diocesan delegates said they intend to implement the dialogue, learnings, and fellowship from Rome at the parish, school and ministry levels across South Jersey. The workshops and liturgies in Rome reinforced how synodality is less about structure and more about accompaniment: walking together, listening with openness, discerning with humility and serving with love.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of the synod experience for me was witnessing the beautiful diversity of the Church – people from every background and vocation united in prayer and dialogue,” said Arango.
“I felt the Holy Spirit powerfully at work, giving charisms to each person for the good of all, empowering us to listen with empathy and see Christ in one another. This experience renewed in me the call to go forth on mission, bringing the love and presence of Jesus to others.”
Keefer agreed. “Meeting, exchanging dialogue and learning from those of the same faith despite coming from many different countries, and hearing the universality of some pertinent issues that VITALity deals with in our day to day, was truly remarkable. I am excited to bring back the shared stories and witnesses of faith that I experienced.”
Dr. Hallion said she was honored not only to be with the leadership of the Diocese, but also to meet people from all over the world committed to synodality. “I learned so much about the synod, the history of the Church, various saints, and sacred art and architecture. I will reflect on these experiences for many years and can’t wait to share [them] with my loved ones and staff at Catholic Charities.”
As one Vatican news release described, the Jubilee was “aimed at translating the orientations of the final document into pastoral and structural choices consistent with the synodal nature of the Church.”
Said Bishop Williams, “May the listening we did these past days – to our Holy Father, to the presenters and to each other – extend the missionary reach of the Church in South Jersey so that Camden may flourish.”
OSV News contributed to this report
Bishop Williams reflects on synodality and mission
By Bishop Joseph A. Williams
“Mission.” This was the first word Pope Leo XIV offered to the clergy and lay leaders from around the world who gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Synodal Teams.
This word was music to my ears, since it underscored the relationship between synodality (a Church that walks together) and mission (a Church that goes forth together) in the mind and heart of our new Universal Shepherd.
I have always striven in my own leadership of the Church to live authentic synodality, which invites us to be a “listening Church.” The Pope reminded us, nevertheless, that listening to each other has as its end hearing together the voice of the Lord, who is continually sending us forth to make him known and loved: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2) This indeed was my hope for the diocesan leadership who joined me in Rome for this Jubilee pilgrimage of hope.
May the listening we did these past days – to our Holy Father, to the presenters and to each other – extend the missionary reach of the Church in South Jersey so that Camden may flourish.
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