Skip to main content

If, in this Holy Year, we are all called to be “pilgrims of hope,” over the past 39 years, we at The Lay Centre have been true “witnesses of hope.” We have witnessed countless moments of encounter and dialogue between people from different backgrounds, both within and outside our residential community. We came to Rome because we hoped, knowing that there was something for us in this Holy City. Now, we want to bear witness to hope wherever we go.

Theologically, hope is a virtue that always goes hand in hand with faith and charity. At the same time, it is something to be sought and something to be lived. It is, on the one hand, something that stimulates us, and on the other, something we must build every day ourselves.

Hope comes from faith and finds expression in charity, as our greatest theologians would teach us. This means that the hope we carry within us needs to be brought forth, presented to others, and shared. It must radiate in our lives.

In a world that suffers so much, hope may seem like a rare jewel, but this year’s Jubilee encourages us to see it wherever we can find it and build it with greater dedication and enthusiasm in every human reality. We at The Lay Centre are committed to moving in this direction.

We have chosen the theme of hope—“Witnesses of Hope”—to guide us throughout this academic year, which coincides with the Jubilee year. In communion with the Holy Father and the whole Church, rooted in the Gospel, we wish to continue being a visible sign of unity, closeness, devotion, and truthful collaboration. A sign of hope.

A new visual identity

I am particularly pleased that we have been able to renew our visual identity and the framework of our institutional communication just before the start of this Jubilee year—that is just before Christmas 2024. I appreciate the work of La Machi communications agency in developing together our new visual identity.

With a refreshed logo, updated branding, and a redesigned website, I believe we can be more efficient in pursuing the Vision “to inspire and prepare lay leaders to serve the Church and the world.”

Our new logo symbolizes core aspects of The Lay Centre’s mission: fostering a community that welcomes, educates, and presents future leaders. The triangular shape represents a roof, a symbol of shelter and hospitality, while the integrated cross points to the Holy Trinity, one of the pillars of our charism.

The colors of the logo—blue, yellow/gold, and gray—are chosen to represent the intellect, energy, and balance that define our organization. The mosaic effect reflects the rich diversity among our members, and dialogue at the heart of The Lay Centre.

The new design also embodies our ongoing efforts to create spaces for meaningful encounters, stimulate creativity, and foster responsibility among the laity—some of the new priorities to the mission, which are now beautifully listed on the “About us” section of our website.

Our new branding and website will allow us to make our mission more visible, as The Lay Centre continues to be rooted in four core values: faith, hospitality, dialogue, and care for our common home. The “Join us” section of the new website should help us to better communicate to new applicants the fundamental principles that guide community life at The Lay Centre.

Whether through academic and professional programs, shared experiences, or our welcoming residence, The Lay Centre remains a place where lay women and men from around the world can engage with the universal Church, deepen their faith, and explore the responsibilities of leadership.

This year, my first as director of The Lay Centre, I would like to thank our founders, Donna Orsuto and Riekie Van Velzen, for all their support and confidence in me and my work. And I am very grateful to the Board for preparing me over the last five years to be able to take on this new mission. I’m very fortunate to be working with them, and with my colleagues here in Rome, learning from them and being able to share the journey with them.

Obrigado,

Filipe Domingues
Director