Assembly Roadmap

Listening Sessions

The Paulist Fathers host listening sessions including hundreds of Paulists, Paulist Associates, Deacon Affiliates, lay staff and collaborators in a process of consultation. 

Pre-Assemblies

The Paulists organize three Pre-Assemblies as the community walk the synodal path with Paulists and collaborators. The Pre-Assemblies reflect, discuss, and refine the emerging themes from the Listening Sessions and identify key questions and ideas to move the process of discernment forward into the Study Group phase.

Study Groups

Following the Pre-Assemblies, the Paulists convene Study Groups made up of Paulists, collaborators, and national experts to continue to explore key topics and move toward possible recommendations for the General Assembly to consider.

2026 General Assembly

In the Spring of 2026, the Paulists elect members to the June 2026 General Assembly—the highest deliberative body of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle. The two-week General Assembly takes up the ideas and themes that have emerged throughout the process, as well as other topics, and deliberate to develop resolutions guiding the community for the next four years. 

Implementation

Following the General Assembly, the Presidential Board and General Council of the Paulist Fathers meet regularly to implement the resolutions of the General Assembly over the next four years.