Mission of the Vincent Pallotti Institute (VPI)
Started in 1985, VPI is part of the Lay Centre’s commitment to serve the local church by offering quality courses in Scripture and theology, opportunities for prayer and experiences of dialogue and mission for laity living in Rome. The Vincent Pallotti Institute meets on Thursday mornings throughout the course of the academic year from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.  Each morning session of the program features two 45 minute presentations with discussion, a coffee break and the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist.

2006-2007 Course Schedule

Contemplative Living in the World
12, 19, 26 October; 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 November; 7 December
Suggested Contribution: €225

What could some of the great Christian spiritual traditions say to busy lay people trying to live contemplatively while balancing family responsibilities and work commitments?  This course will seek to draw out some of the riches of these traditions for everyday life. Topics will include: “Discovering the Wisdom of the Christian Spiritual Tradition for Contemporary Christians” (Rev. Anthony McSweeney, SSS); “Learning to Live in the Presence of the Lord: Benedictine Spirituality” (Abbot Edmund Power, OSB); “A Drink Called Happiness: Insights into Dominican Spirituality” (Rev. Paul Murray, OP); “Desert Spirituality for City Dwellers” (Donna Orsuto); “Finding God in All Things: Ignatius’ Insights” (Rev. Herbert Alphonso, SJ) and “Dealing with Darkness: Contemplative Perspectives” (Very Rev. Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm.).

The 2007 Patrick and Mary Dorgan Memorial Course:

Salvation and the Search for Happiness

11, 18, 25 January; 1, 8, 15, 22 February: 1 March 2007

Suggested contribution: €200

 

The Gospel promises beatitudes or blessedness to those who embrace discipleship, but many times it also speaks of self-denial, or losing one's life, of even taking up the cross.  In a culture that sees religion in terms of happiness and self-fulfillment, and more in this-worldly than other-worldly perspective, the meaning of salvation proposed by Jesus is far from easy to grasp.  Popular lecturer Rev. Anthony McSweeney, SSS, returns to guide an exploration of these tensions in the light of the writings of the New Testament and contemporary cultural experience.

 

The 2007 Patrick and Mary Dorgan Memorial Retreat:

Juggling Prayer and Work: St. Benedict’s Way of Living the Gospel for the Laity

Friday 2 March - Sunday 4 March 2007
Cost per person (not including transportation): €150

During this weekend retreat at the site of the first monastic community founded by Saint Benedict, the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Edmund Power, OSB, will show us how the sixth century saint’s Rule proposes a life-long process of learning to live in the presence of the Lord through a balanced rhythm of prayer and work. The retreat will focus on how the Rule functions as a “school for the Lord’s service” for Christian women and men today.  The weekend will include lodging and meals at the Foresteria of the Monastery of St. Scholastica in Subiaco, lectures, time for personal meditation and the daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. (This memorial was established by the retired U.S. Ambassador Jean Wilkowski in loving memory of her grandparents for the faith that they passed on to her family.  Patrick and Mary Dorgan were immigrants to the United States from County Kerry, Ireland who settled in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin).

Contemporary Attitudes and Living the Christian Moral Life
Thursdays: March 8, 15 and 29 2007
Suggested contribution: €75

Following a brief review of the fundamental principles of our Catholic Christian Tradition which guide moral decision making in difficult situations, this program will examine some of the major attitudes and thought processes prevalent in Western society today, often presented in the popular culture as “good thinking”, which run counter to these basic moral principles.  Emphasis will be placed upon practical moral issues such as assisted suicide, “therapeutic” abortion, and the problem of responding to terrorism
Presenter: Rev. Stephen Rehrauer, CSsR; Professor of Moral Theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome and the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Morales in Madrid.

Bonds of Communion in Dialogue and Art
19, 26 April; 3 May 2007
Suggested Contribution: €75

In this three week course, the Revd. Jonathan Boardman, will lead discussions and site visits to consider some of the concrete ways in which the past 40 years of ecumenical dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church have contributed to the path of Christian unity. At a time when it could be very easy to only note the difficulties encountered when dialogue takes place, the course intends to celebrate the substantial achievements already made. 

Each week will consider a different aspect of the ways in which we have been able to rediscover significant elements that unite us in faith: 1) the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism, with a visit to the Lateran Baptistery; 2) the structure and content of the liturgy, with a visit to San Clemente; and 3) the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Communion of the Church, with a visit to Santa Maria Maggiore. 

Each week will feature a presentation, discussion, common prayer and site visit to one of Rome’s historical and artistic treasures of Christian faith.

The Revd Jonathan Boardman is Chaplain of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome and Senior Tutor at the Anglican Centre.

Program Registration
To register for any one of this year’s VPI program offerings simply contact the Lay Centre (e-mail: info@laycentre.org; tel: +39 06 772 6761 or fax: +39 06 772 676 235).  Please include your name, address, and contact information when registering.  Contributions are usually presented with registration or at the first day of each course.

Annual Ticket
The Lay Centre offers a discounted annual ticket for those who register for the entire year (24 morning sessions) and pay in advance (not including the Lenten retreat).  An annual ticket also offers a special 30% discount on other Lay Centre program offerings during the course of the academic year.  The suggested contribution for the 2006-2007 season ticket is 450 Euro.  

Location
The Lay Centre is located between the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Basilica of SS Quattro Coronati.  By metro or bus to San Giovanni it is a 15 minute walk to Via dei SS Quattro 7.  Convenient buses: 16, 85, 87, 117, 571, 714.  Limited parking is available if arranged in advance.

BACK TO THE TOP