The Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis recently prayed a novena with the archdiocese's Parish Synod leadership team meeting for the first time.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced the special novena on Facebook. “Novena” comes from the Latin word for “nine” and refers to saying a novena prayer for nine consecutive days. The number nine could signify the nine months that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, or it could refer to when the Apostles and Mary prayed for the nine days between Jesus’s Ascension into Heaven and Pentecost, according to Blessed Is She.

"Please pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit in the days leading up to the Parish Synod Leadership Team Consultation," the Facebook post reads. "Day 9 is Saturday, Feb. 26 - the first day parishes will meet for this consultation. #archsynod."

On Oct. 10, 2021, Pope Francis declared a “synod on synodality,” which is formally titled “Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church.” The process will last for two years and involves expanding the existing “Synod of Bishops," according to The Conversation.

During the two-year synod, bishops all around the world are tasked with consulting with monks, nuns, parishioners, and laypeople to bring more openness and transparency to the Church. The Bishops will convene in 2023 and discuss how to move forward as a church that “journeys together," according to The Conversation.

The Conversation reports that Francis has long shown interest in Synod of Bishops since the beginning of his role as Pope in 2013.

“A synodal Church is a Church which listens,” Pope Francis said, according to The Conversation. "For the disciples of Jesus, yesterday, today and always, the only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the cross."