Together programme

Friday 29 September

Young adults taking part in the whole weekend should arrive on Friday afternoon. They will have already been given the contact details of a host parish to which they go directly, following the instructions received from the parish coordinator. There they receive accommodation and an identification badge.

On Friday at 16:00, there will be a meeting with some of the Synod participants, including Cardinal Jean-Claude Höllerich, general rapporteur for the Synod, in the Aula Congregationis of the Jesuit General Curia, Borgo Santo Spirito 4. 

• Depending on your host parish, evening prayer with the local community
• Supper with host families or local community

Saturday 30 September 

• Before 8:00, breakfast with host families and communities
• 9:00 Workshops by choice in various locations in the centre of Rome. These will begin with a short morning prayer. Please register as soon as possible (limited number of places for each workshop) and revisit the workshops webpage to check availability and for any changes.

From 10:30 to 14:30, there will be an information point outside the Basilica of St John Lateran on the Piazza Giovanni Paolo II

• 11:30-12:30 Distribution of a packed lunch plus food for the evening behind the Basilica of St John Lateran (entrance by the gate next to the obelisk and baptistery). Those bringing their own lunch can eat on Piazza Giovanni Paolo II.
• 13:00-14:30 Time of praise in the Basilica of St John Lateran.
• 14:30 Walk together (Syn hodos – synod – means “walk with”) from the Cathedral of Rome to the tomb of the Apostle Peter, for those who can. The 6 km walk will be a symbol of our commitment “Together”. (Alternatively, go to St Peter’s Square by bus or metro. Count around 50 minutes for the journey.)
• Around 16:00: arrival at the entrance of St Peter’s Square. Please check the list of items you must not carry with you for security reasons.
• 15:00-16:40 Choirs and music from around the world in St Peter’s Square
• 16:40 Procession of around forty people from different continents and churches carrying the Bible and an icon from the centre of the square to the foot of the Cross of St Damian.
• 16:50-19:00 Ecumenical Vigil of the People of God “Together” in St Peter’s Square in the presence of the synod participants, representatives of various Churches and Pope Francis. Please download the vigil booklet using the QR-code that will be displayed.

Return to host communities and families

Sunday 1 October

• Celebration in the host communities.
• Lunch with host families or communities.
• Departure

Adults, under 18s and families who have found their own accommodation, and everyone who comes to participate just on Saturday, simply follow the part of the programme that is available to them according to their arrival and departure times. To take part in the workshops and and receive the meal at the Lateran, however, registration in advance is essential. Those who bring their own food can eat it in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II near the Lateran obelisk and then join in the prayer of praise and/or the walk as they wish.