The Lay Center in Rome: Great English Language Formation at the Heart of the Church

All English speaking Catholics should be aware of the work of the wonderful Lay Centre in Rome. We had the chance to visit it and its remarkable American woman director, Dr. Donna Orsuto, when we were in Rome. (She gave me my first taste of Lemoncello!).

It is a combination hostel for students of theology, meeting place and retreat/formation center for English language speakers in Rome. The Centre both hosts wonderful study pilgrimage gathering such as Dining in the Kingdom: Unveiling the Transformative Power of the Eucharist (May, 2007) and Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: Laity in the Church Yesterday and Today (late June-early July, 2007)

or the Centre can help your group design and put on its own study/prayer/pilgrimage experience.


"The vocation and mission of the laity (and indeed of every Christian) flow from baptism in the name of the Trinity. Recognizing the call and responding to it come from learning to listen carefully to the Spirit in the midst of the world. The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas is committed to helping laity do this through providing an environment which fosters the realization of this profound call. The Lay Centre is about discerning vocations, about helping lay women and men discover God’s unique call in their lives, a call to communion and a call to mission."

It is our kind of place. If you have dreams of throwing those coins in the fountain, check it out.