By Howard Jung
ROME — Having decided very late in the process to attend the Biblicum, I was just hoping to find a decent place to live near the school. As such, I had very little expectations for or ideas of what The Lay Centre would be; I was just glad to have a roof over my head and a place within walking distance to my school.
As I walked up to The Lay Centre, I was taken aback by the beauty of the complex. It is in the midst of a good-sized, manicured park in the middle of Rome: an Edenic oasis within the chaos of an urban jungle. It was surprising, delightful and emblematic of my experiences at The Lay Centre; I received so much more than I expected.
The Lay Centre was more than just a place to live, more than a place for students who were studying at one of the many pontifical universities in Rome. It was a place to connect, to pray, to laugh, to learn, to engage, to be vulnerable and to grow. It was a place where one could explore ideas, enter into lively conversation, and encounter others with different perspectives, values, and experiences. In short, it was a community in the fullest sense of the word.
It was a community with its own unique culture, in which one could contribute while being drawn into and formed, somewhat akin to a thread being woven into a larger tapestry. One could not help but fall into the daily rhythm of night prayers and meals, the weekly community nights and Masses; one could not help but be formed in the culture of hospitality that permeates the place. The one thing that stands out for me about The Lay Centre as a whole is its focus on the other and welcoming others. It’s helped me to be more aware, considerate and welcoming of people.
Another central aspect of The Lay Centre’s culture is faith. It’s a place where faith is shared, celebrated and nurtured; it is done in an affirming, respectful and open way, often more by actions than by words, by the practice of prayer and the extension of care for others.
Ultimately The Lay Centre is made up of people, and that is what I will take away with me — the relationships started and built there and the memories of the experiences had there. I’ve had wonderful (and challenging) conversations with Anglican ministers on vocation and service, been moved by the childlike wonder of a Hindu priest at the beauty of various elements of Catholic liturgy, and have had my perspectives broadened through engaging conversations on philosophy and theology. I have had moments of trust and vulnerability, hearing of people’s journeys with its attendant challenges and the wisdom collected along the way.
I came to Rome to learn Hebrew and Greek. I now leave Rome, gaining much more than just two foreign languages.
Howard Jung resided at The Lay Centre while studying ancient languages at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum) during the first semester of the current academic year. Jung is expected to begin his doctoral studies in Scripture at the Catholic University of America; he is currently in Vienna studying German.
