The Diocese of Trenton will inaugurate the opening of the Sixteenth Ordinary Synod of Bishops on a local level Oct. 17 during a 3 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 151 N. Warren St., Trenton.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant of the Mass which will be attended by a contingent of faithful from throughout the Diocese representing all walks of life including clergy, seminarians, religious and laity. The entrance procession will reflect the diversity of the Church, including youth representatives and parish lay leaders, as well diocesan staff and officers, among others.

The Bishop will issue a decree promulgating the start of the Synod in the Diocese. Also, in preparation for the Synod, the Bishop wrote a pastoral letter which can be viewed on TrentonMonitor.com by clicking here.

As a global event proclaimed by Pope Francis, the Trenton Diocese joins every diocese throughout the world in initiating the diocesan phase of the Synod with a Mass celebrated by the diocesan bishop on Oct. 17. Pope Francis inaugurated the Synod Oct. 10 when he celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in Rome.

Along with starting off the Synod, the Diocese of Trenton is also using the Mass as an opportunity to commemorate its 140th Anniversary Year. All the faithful from the Diocese are welcome to attend the Mass in the Cathedral which will also be livestreamed on the Trenton Diocese Youtube and Facebook pages.  

Look for expanded coverage and photos of the Mass on TrentonMonitor.com beginning the evening of Oct. 17. Full coverage of the event will appear in the November issue of The Monitor Magazine.