Every four years, the Paulist Fathers undertake a process of discerning new mission priorities at their General Assembly and preparatory Pre-Assembly meetings. In 2025, inspired by the synodal style of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, the Paulist Fathers welcomed wider consultation from all those who make up the Paulist charismatic family (those who share and live out the charism): Lay Associates and Deacon Affiliates, as well as all lay collaborators at Paulist ministries.
Synodal listening and consultation in our Paulist communities is a transformative process rooted in attentive, communal discernment. It is not merely about hearing, but about a deep, relational listening that involves the entire People of God walking together and listening to one another, to the Gospel, and above all to the Holy Spirit. This process of listening and consultation is not an end in itself but is oriented toward discernment and conversion, seeking to understand God’s will and respond to the joys, hopes, sorrows, and anxieties of the world.
Confident that the Holy Spirit is active and alive today in our culture and in each of the baptized, the Paulist Fathers welcomed the Sprit-led insights of many friends and collaborators as they discerned mission priorities through the Listening Session process. The roadmap above outlines the year-long process leading up to the June 2026 General Assembly which will promulgate priorities and recommendations for the community.
Materials for download
Please note that the materials below are provided for reference only. The submission period ended in September 2025.
Report
After hosting the Listening Sessions, the Paulist Fathers prepared the following report for distribution at the Pre-Assemblies.