What would happen if that majority fully embraced the transformative power of their vocation within community life? That is the question that drives "Lived Synodality: the strength of the laity," the course offered by the Cebitepal Theological Center of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (Celam) with theologian Olga Consuelo Vélez.
The Church does not only happen on Sunday. The Church is built on Monday at work, on Tuesday in the catechesis room, on Wednesday in the family WhatsApp group, on Thursday in a visit to a sick person, on Friday in the classroom, and on Saturday in a park.
And those who sustain it in all those scenarios are, by far, mostly laywomen and laymen.
The Colombian theologian Olga Consuelo Vélez guides a journey to rediscover the lay vocation as a transformative force, just as the Synod stakes its future in each community.
Today the moment is the most opportune: the Synod has ceased to be an event in Rome to become a task in each territory.
Local Churches are living the implementation phase of the Final Document; in 2027 the diocesan and national evaluation assemblies will arrive, and in October 2028 a global Ecclesial Assembly will gather the entire Church in the Vatican, in a process initiated by Francis and confirmed by Leo XIV.
The Synod has ceased to be an event in Rome to become a task in each territory.
In other words: what laywomen and laymen contribute today in their communities directly feeds the discernment of the universal Church. It has never been so literal that their voice matters.
What does this course offer?
In light of Scripture, the Magisterium, and current challenges, the course covers the biblical foundations of the common priesthood and the baptismal vocation, the path of the early Christians to Vatican II, lay ministries (catechesis, liturgy, social pastoral, communication), lay spirituality and formation, and a special chapter on women in the synodal and missionary Church.
It also directly addresses the peripheries where lay commitment is played out today: social justice, secularization, plural societies, new technologies, and care for creation. In summary: how to move from "collaborating with the parish" to being co-responsible for the mission. The coordinator of the course is Olga Consuelo Vélez: a laywoman, doctor in Theology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, teacher and researcher for 35 years at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Javeriana University and co-founder of the Colombian Association of Theologians.
She is a recognized voice on the participation of women and the overcoming of clericalism; she has warned that, without transforming that culture, synodality "will remain a nice possibility."
Throughout the classes, Dr. Vélez will help ground these concepts in the daily life of communities, parishes, and territories.
How to participate?
The course, in online mode with synchronous and asynchronous classes, will take place from September 9 to November 11, 2026, with sessions on Wednesdays at the following times:
- 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM (Colombia)
- 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM (Mexico)
- 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (USA/Miami)
- 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM (Venezuela/Bolivia)
- 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM (Brasília/Argentina)
- 11:30 PM to 1:00 AM (Madrid/CET)
It has certification from the Pontifical Bolivarian University, with up to a 30% discount and the possibility of monthly installment payments.
Participate by entering cebitepal.celam.org In addition, we invite you to explore the entire training offer from Cebitepal and learn about the scholarship and discount program:
https://cebitepal.celam.org/politicas-de-becas-y-descuentos
If you need more information or have questions, write to us at cebitepal.contacto@celam.org