Official Opening of the Lay Centre at its New Home:
14 April 2010

Foyer Unitas was a ministry of hospitality operated by the Ladies of Bethany in Rome - just above the Centro Pro Unione and overlooking Piazza Navona. Originally asked by Pope Pius XII to provide hospitality to non-Catholic visitors and scholars, Foyer Unitas also provided lodging for the ecumenical observers at Vatican II and Council fathers and peritii, from Cardinal Bea to young theologian Joseph Ratzinger.

When the decision was made for Foyer Unitas to close its doors in the mid-1980’s, two women who had been student employees assisting the Ladies developed the idea for a lay student residence to meet the obvious need for something like the Roman Colleges for the growing number of non-ordained, non-religious students at the Pontifical Universities. In 1986, co-founders Donna Orsuto and Riekie van Velzen opened the doors to the Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas.



Dutch Ambassador to the Holy See Her Excellency Baroness Henriette J.C.M. van Lynden-Leijten (left) with Miss Leideke Galema, LoB (who was the Director of the Foyer Unitas for forty years) and friends of the Lay Centre. 

On Wednesday, 14 April 2010, the Lay Centre celebrated the dedication and official inauguration of its new site, now located within part of the Passionist Retreat of Sts. John and Paul on the Caelian Hill. With private gardens overlooking the Coliseum that had once been site to the Temple of Divine Claudius and Nero’s Nymphaeum, the remains of a 1st century aqueduct, and views of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, it is hard to imagine a better setting for prayer, study, and life in common.

Nestled in the Villa Celimontana next door is a small church San Tommaso in Formis, served by the Trinitarian Fathers on the site of what was once a monastery and hospital operated by the order. (The original complex dates back 800 years, but the current church is early 20th century). This was the venue for the Celebration of Solemn Vespers, presided by the Most Rev. Brian Farrell, LC, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Bishop Brian Farrell, LC, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, presides at the Celebration of Solemn Vespers in the Church of San Tommaso in Formis. 

The chapel of Foyer Unitas, dedicated on 7 October 1962, was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, as is the chapel at the new Lay Centre, dedicated on 7 October 2009. The Lay Centre’s Icon of the Holy Trinity, written in imitation of the seventeenth century Vladimir-Susdal Icon, was originally blessed by Cardinal Bea along with the Foyer Unitas chapel and was prominently featured during the celebration of the liturgy.

Bishop Farrell’s presence and preaching was particularly significant given the long history and relationship between the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and both the Lay Centre and Foyer Unitas. His lifelong commitment to ecumenism and support for the Lay Centre were also evident throughout the evening.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Dr. Miguel Díaz and his wife, Dr. Marian Díaz, were guests of honor. The ambassador made a brief address at the end of vespers on hospitality and dialogue (click here for full text). In addition, several other ambassadors were present for the ceremonies, as well as three deputy chiefs of mission.

US Ambassador to the Holy See His Excellency Miguel Díaz delivers an address at the conclusion of the Celebration of Solemn Vespers in the Church of San Tommaso in Formis.

Several Lay Centre Board members and honorary board members made the trip from the United States and elsewhere. Board Chair Nancy Lindsay, Ralph and Mary Dwan, and Joseph Lynaugh.

The honorary board members included John Allen, Jr.; Sr. Leideke Galem,; Retired U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See James Nicholson and his wife Suzanne.

Following Vespers, the assembly processed from the church through the gardens of the Passionist Retreat to the courtyard at the entrance to the Lay Centre where Bishop Farrell concluded the liturgy with the Rites of Blessing. A reception followed generously provided by Peggy Brennan Hassett and Jack Kehoe, which featured fine wines donated by the Roman enoteca Dierre Wine.

Solemn Procession from the Church of San Tommaso in Formis to the new location of the Lay Centre.



Bishop Brian Farrell, LC, blesses the new location of the Lay Centre.

Peggy Hassett (left) shares a moment with Egyptian Ambassador to the Holy See Her Excellency Lamia Mekhekar (right).

Lay Centre students gathered with US Ambassador to the Holy See His Excellency Miguel Díaz and his wife Dr. Marian Díaz (center) with Donna Orsuto and member of the Lay Centre Board of Trustees, Rev. Donald Senior, CP.



Canadian Ambassador to the Holy See Her Excellency Anne Leahy, (clockwise) J. Nathan Bland, Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy to the Holy See, Rev. Charles Morerod, OP, Secretary of the International Theological Commission, and US Ambassador to the Holy See His Excellency Miguel Díaz.

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