In March 2024, LIM adjunct professor Deborah Wilhelm, D.Min., participated in a significant gathering of preachers and theologians from across North America, Europe, and Asia. The synodal symposium, titled "The Pastoral Charge for Lay Catholic Eucharistic Preaching," took place in St. Louis from March 11–14 and aimed to generate recommendations regarding lay preaching at Mass.

After deliberations, the group formally submitted its recommendations to the US Bishops and the Synod on Synodality in Rome. Notably, they proposed allowing qualified lay individuals to deliver the homily during Mass. Additionally, the recommendations included expanding the instituted ministries of Lector and Catechist or establishing a new ministry of Lay Preacher to facilitate lay preaching at Mass.

This symposium marks a pivotal step in the ongoing discourse surrounding the involvement of laypersons in liturgical roles traditionally reserved for ordained clergy. The recommendations put forth by this diverse group of preachers and theologians could potentially shape the future landscape of Catholic liturgical practices.

Download and read the Synod-Proposal in English or in Spanish here.

Dr. Wilhelm is an alumna of the Loyola Institute for Ministry. She has co-authored and edited several books, including Preaching Racial Justice (Orbis Books, 2023), Living the Word: Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days for Years A and B (GIA Publications 2022 and 2023), and Preaching Matters: A Praxis for Preachers (Paul Bechtold Library Publications).