For the sixth consecutive year, The Lay Centre is pleased to host the Summer Lay Leadership Program, a residential week in Rome for lay men and women from all fields and professions, united in their commitment to serving as leaders in the Church and in the world.

Building on the success of past editions, this year’s program continues to form and inspire lay leaders who seek to integrate faith, leadership, and service in their professional and personal lives.

Co-sponsored by Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) and designed in collaboration with Letty Garcia, associate director of the Leadership Initiative at Harvard Business School, the 2026 edition will take place at The Lay Centre, in Rome, from July 3 to 12, 2026.

Applications are open until March 20, 2026.
Full and partial scholarships are available. Contact us to learn more about the costs.
Read about/ Watch Glimpses of the 2025 edition of the Summer Lay Leadership Program

What makes this week unique?

The holistic formation experience
The weeklong immersive program takes a unique approach to leadership formation — integrating the human, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of growth.

The journey of self-discovery
Participants are guided to reflect on their own life journey through a spiritual lens, listening for their personal call to leadership and co-responsibility in the Church.

Developing authentic leadership
Focused on cultivating self-awareness and relationships, participants will define their path to authentic leadership and return to their daily lives with greater enthusiasm and confidence.

A network of lay leaders
The program offers an opportunity to join a global network of lay scholars and professionals, opening doors to future collaborations and projects in Rome and beyond.

Life at The Lay Centre
Participants experience the vibrant community life of The Lay Centre, with opportunities to learn more about pontifical universities and formation opportunities in Rome.

Learning from the city itself
Throughout the week, participants are immersed in Rome’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage through guided off-site visits connected to the themes explored during sessions.

Sessions will be held in English.

Who is this program for?

The ideal candidate is a lay person with at least two years of professional experience and who is interested in working for the Church and/or applying some concepts of leadership and Catholic spirituality to their daily life.
Applicants can be from any field or profession. They are united in their commitment to discerning a call to serve as leaders motivated to tackle some of the Church’s biggest challenges.
While there are no age limits, this program is designed mostly for those who are in the initial stages of their career