Timeline of Synod 2018 Process
Introduction: Christus Vivit within the Context of the Synod Process
Christus Vivit was the result of several years of preparation and begins a time of implementation. In a sense, the exhortation sits as a halfway point between the development and the mobilization phases. The document should be read in this context. The timeline below provides that development.
It is also important to see what events were taking place in the United States which has contributed to the reception of this document in this country. Several key instances are included in this timeline.
It is important to observe the footnotes throughout Christus Vivit, to see who and what Pope Francis has found inspiration and insights to guide his own process. These footnotes include the writings of several saints and holy men and women; documents of bishops’ conferences (including Sons and Daughters of the Light, the pastoral plan for ministry with young adults written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops); World Youth Day homilies and texts; several works from his native Argentina; and past exhortations and encyclicals.
The most referenced works by the Holy Father are the Pre-Synod Final Document (March 2018) and the Synod of Bishops Final Document (October 2018), indicating the importance he has placed on these key texts and to the entire synodal process.
July 2013: World Youth Day 2013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
(*) first international encounter of Pope Francis and young people
texts from WYD 2013
Oct 2014/15: Synods on the Family in Rome
(*) key insights on the relationship of young people and the vocation of marriage
texts from the 2014 and 2015 Synods
April 2016: Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia released
(*) following the synodal process on the family
text of Amoris Laetitia
July 2016: World Youth Day 2016, Krakow, Poland
(*) second international encounter of Pope Francis and young people
texts from WYD 2016
Oct 2016: Pope Francis launches Synod process on “young people, the faith, and vocational discernment.”
news on this launch
Jan 2017: Synod Preparatory Document is released
text of the Preparatory Document
Jan 2017: V Encuentro Process officially begins across the United States
(*) with Hispanic-Latino young people as a key priority area
background on V Encuentro
NOTE: this process continues throughout 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020
April 2017: Synod 2018 and WYD 2019 Preparatory Meetings in Rome
June 2017: International Online Synod Questionnaire launches
information on the questionnaire
July 2017: USCCB Convocation of Catholic Leaders takes place in Orlando, Florida (*) with young people and emerging leaders as key priority areas
information about this gathering
July 2017: National Dialogue on Catholic Pastoral Ministry with Youth and Young Adults launches (*) nationwide collaborative effort to re-imagine ministry with young people key information on the National Dialogue
(NOTE: this process continues through 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020)
Sept 2017: Vatican social-scientific summit on young people in Rome
Oct 2017: Episcopal conference summary reports submitted to Holy See
summary of the USCCB report, given by Cardinal DiNardo
March 2018: Pre-Synod Meeting (of 300 young adults from around the world) in Rome information on Pope Francis' meeting with young people and Pope Francis' remarks to young people
March 2018: Pre-Synod Final Document given to the Holy Father
text of Pre-Synod Final Document
May 2018: Instrumentum Laboris (Synod Working Document) released by Holy See text of the Instrumentum Laboris
July 2018: National Dialogue local conversations commence
(*) engaging youth and young adults in dialogue
NOTE: the local conversations continue through 2018 and 2019
Sept 2018: V Encuentro National Event takes place in Grapevine, Texas
(*) with young people as a key component and priority of the national event
information on V Encuentro National Event
Oct 2018: XV Ordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome
texts and reports from Rome during the Synod
Oct 2018: Synod Final Document given to the Holy Father
Read the Final Document and the Synod Fathers' Letter to Young People
Jan 2019: World Youth Day 2019, Panama City, Panama
(*) third international encounter between Pope Francis and young people
read texts from WYD 2019
March 2019: Pope Francis signs Christus Vivit
(*) on the Feast of the Annunciation
News reports on this occasion
April 2019: Pope Francis releases Christus Vivit to the world
(*) on the Anniversary of the Death of St. John Paul II
Text of Christus Vivit
USCCB Statement on Christus Vivit
Present Day: Implementation Phase of Christus Vivit
(*) taking place in local communities around the world
Post-Encuentro and National Dialogue efforts underway
(*) taking place in local communities across the USA
The timeline continues with the global and local implementation of Christus Vivit, carried out by Catholic leaders around the world in their parishes, dioceses, institutions, apostolates, and movements.
We would love to share how YOU are implementing Christus Vivit in your community.
Please email your plans and updates to @email with a note of permission allowing us to share your information with others via the USCCB website, should space allow. Thank you in advance for your efforts.