Faith. Learning. Dialogue. Community.
Intrinsically Catholic, The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas is dedicated to the formation of the laity and to the promotion of the lay vocation in the Church and in the world.
It also works to promote Christian unity and to create opportunities for genuine encounter and sincere dialogue with people of other religions.
In view of its mission, The Lay Centre offers formation programs and conferences to local and international groups, as well as to the lay students, enrolled in pontifical universities in Rome, who live at The Lay Centre.

Donna Orsuto is a professor of spirituality at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Originally from the United States, she also lectures and gives retreats worldwide. She has authored two books and numerous articles in the area of spirituality. Active in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, Dr. Orsuto serves as a member of the Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Diocese of Rome. Pope Benedict XVI named her a Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great in 2011. She is president of The Lay Centre’s Board of Directors.

The Lay Centre offers a home for lay students enrolled in pontifical universities in Rome, who want to integrate their academic studies with opportunities for spiritual growth, service and dialogue. Students who live at The Lay Centre are eager to participate in community life, share in dialogue with students from different countries, Christian denominations and religions, and partake in the formative and spiritual activities of the centre.

Meet some of The Lay Centre alumni, who helped us grow into a vibrant and welcoming community.

If you would like to support The Lay Centre’s mission to offer formation programs for the laity and to promote ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, both locally and internationally, please feel free to make a donation to the special fund set up by our benefactors through the National Catholic Community Foundation (NCCF).

To make gifts online in U.S. dollars, simply go to the NCCF website, where you will find “Friends of The Lay Centre Fund” listed under “Gift Designation”. Thank you for your support.