The “Working Document for the Continental Stage” (DCS) invites us to take a further step in our spiritual journey together (DCS, 104) The continental level constitutes an opportunity to live synodality and to practice it concretely.

The DCS gathers and restores to the local Churches, what the People of God from around the world said in the first year of the Synod and is a guide to deepen our discernment (DCS, 105)

All are invited to join in the continuing synod journey by reflecting on the DCS and offering those reflections to the bishops to assist them as they prepare for the Synod Continental Assembly.

Below are some resources to help parishes, schools, universities, religious communities and Catholic organizations conduct spiritual conversations to reflect on the Working Document for the Continental Stage together and provide feedback to your local bishop and the synod delegates in advance of the North American Continental Assemblies which will begin in February 2023.

Ignatian Encounter Ministry is a group of lay Catholics, mostly from Jesuit universities and organizations, who came together in 2021 to train over 3,000 facilitators in dioceses across the United States in the practice of spiritual conversations during the local consultation stage of the Synod. We now offer this website in an effort to continue the active participation of the laity and clergy in the Synod on Synodality.