Newman, like all of the saints, is perennially relevant because holiness never goes out of style.

God is pure goodness, pure love, pure beauty. Look for those things in your life, and you will see God.

The general relator of this special synod, emphasized several themes of Pope Francis’ pontificate: the church must “throw open her doors”; “true tradition” is “the church’s living history”; and “God always brings newness,” so “one must not fear what is new.”

Proposals in the Oct. 8 morning session of the Synod included discussing the "possibility of diaconal ordination for women, so as to emphasize their ecclesial vocation."

Follow America's coverage of the 2019 Synod on the Amazon.

Pope Francis said the synod’s way is to “bring us close to consider the Amazon reality with this pastoral heart, with the eyes of disciples and missionaries.”