By Anastasia Pinto
For the fifth consecutive year, The Lay Centre hosted an intensive week focused on personal and professional development for lay leadership in the Church and the world, tailored especially for young professionals aspiring to serve the Church as lay leaders.
Bringing together participants from 12 nationalities—namely Argentina, Croatia, Honduras, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Spain, and the United States—the program took place at The Lay Centre in Rome.
Designed in collaboration with Letty Garcia, associate sirector of the Leadership Initiative at Harvard Business School, and co-sponsored by Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS), the Summer Leadership Development Program is a pioneering initiative in Rome aimed at equipping emerging lay leaders to realize their full potential in the Church and society.
A Space for Holistic Growth
“The program offered me a space to see things differently—to consider others’ perspectives, and to be heard while also hearing others,” shared one participant.
Throughout the week, participants explored key leadership principles rooted in Ignatian spirituality, discernment, and pastoral practice. Grounded in each participant’s personal journey, the program integrates leadership insights from the business world while also fostering growth in self-awareness and relational depth.
“I felt that people truly made the effort to listen to one another—to practice deep, intentional listening—and I consider that something truly special in a group with such diverse life experiences.”
Walking Together as Lay Leaders
Setting a spiritual tone for the days ahead, the program began with a special pilgrimage through the Holy Door and Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
With sessions led by speakers from both Rome and the United States—including Letty Garcia, Dr. Filipe Domingues, Fr. David McCallum, SJ, Dr. Donna Orsuto, Dr. Mariana Miller, Dr. Nathaniel Samuel, Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, Dr. Michael M. Canaris, and Christiaan Santini—the program invited participants to reflect deeply on their personal leadership journeys. Each day offered a holistic approach, integrating intellectual formation, spiritual depth, and human development.
“Each session had something that resonated with my internal process and gave me insights to connect with my purpose,” shared one participant.
Pilgrims at Home in Rome
The city of Rome became a classroom in itself, with immersive visits to sacred and historical sites such as the Church of the Gesù and the Ignatian Rooms, the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola, and the Holy Door at St. John Lateran. These visits were guided by Christiaan Santini, and M.A. in Art History and operations manager at The Lay Centre, who offered rich reflections connecting art, architecture, and leadership.
Participants also took part in a Synodal workshop at the Vatican’s Synod Office, led by Sr. Nathalie Becquart, centered on the theme “Building Bridges in a Fragmented and Intercultural World.”
The week concluded with a joyful and hope-filled Mass celebrated by Msgr. Lucio Ruiz, who warmly encouraged participants to embrace their calling as joyful witnesses of Christ in today’s world.
Looking Ahead
“The program was really helpful to me because it allowed me to listen more carefully to what God’s will is in my life. It also gave me the tools to keep searching for it,” shared one participant.
“At the end, I’m leaving with a well-developed curiosity to explore more as a lay leader,” said another.
“It gave me tools to become more aware of leadership and better understand where I am. Hearing the stories of other participants made me realize that we are not alone—we’re going through similar journeys,” reflected a third.
