Radio Veritas Asia’s Mandarin Service Celebrates "Day of Synodality"

Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) Mandarin Service organized a Day of Synodality seminar, discussing the theme "Mary and Synodality: Walking Together in Communion," at the Radio Veritas Asia auditorium on December 8.

The half-day seminar was an integral component of a program commemorating 'RVA-Manddarin Day' for laity and religious Chinese residing in Manila, Philippines.

Father John Mi Shen, the speaker of the event and the former Mandarin Service Coordinator, explained the concept of synodality to the participants. 

He said that to understand the whole concept of synodality, one must start with its very definition: "Syn" means "together,” and "odos" means “way or path."

The priest, besides providing an overview of the evolution of synodal structures throughout the centuries and synods in the history of the Church, also highlighted Mary as a paradigm of synodality for the Church. 

"Mary, the Mother of God, serves as a tridimensional paradigm of Synodality, encompassing three key aspects: synodal discernment, synodal decision-making, and synodal spirituality." The priest stated, "Mary lived her entire life imbued with the spirit of Synodality, which manifested itself in her willingness to embrace God, herself, and others."

According to him, from the Annunciation to her visit to Elizabeth, her everyday life in Nazareth, and her companionship with Jesus as he preached the Good News until her crucifixion, Mary's role did not cease but continued into the nascent Christian community.

"The spirit of Synodality necessitates collaborative operation through heeding the voice of God. Mary's utterance of "Do as he instructs you" to the servants at the wedding in Cana served as a symbolic representation of her responsibility to guide individuals to Christ," said Mi Shen.

The priest further motivated the participants of the seminar, who were mostly Catholic Chinese in the Philippines, to embark on a personal voyage toward embodying the spirit of Synodality, as was the case during the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops Synod, which was convened at the Vatican in October of this year.

He emphasized to the seminar attendees that potential obstacles to synodality could include cultural diversity and differences, resistance to change, unequal participation, and apprehension toward ambiguity.

However, he acknowledged that synodality is paved with additional opportunities, including laity empowerment, renewed participation, a sense of belonging, and a thriving and participatory community. As elaborated in " Labor Instrumentum," the synod will persist in enlivening the synodal process within the daily existence of the Church, revealing the routes that the Holy Spirit encourages us to traverse with greater resolve as a unified people of God. 

"RVA-Mandarin Day" is celebrated every year in honor of all Chinese Catholics who reside in Manila, Philippines. It is a day for both reunion gatherings and experiencing a sense of belonging.

The occasion was elevated this year with the distinguished presence of the "God's Volunteer, Walking in the Light" Choir, which traveled from Taiwan to perform.

In addition to the Chinese Catholics from Manila, members of various communities attended the event, including the Society of Jesus, the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Good and Perpetual Help, the Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation, the Institute of Formation Fondacio Asia, and others.