With the rapid advance of the Coronavirus, especially in Italy, the Beda community has been able to continue working normally at present. While Schools and Universities in Italy closed yesterday to prevent the further spread of the virus, the Beda is able to continue with its in-house lectures. However, in a rapidly changing situation, a close watch is being kept on necessary directives from Church and Civil authorities.

Ash Wednesday this year was the day after the Third and Fouirth Year retreats had ended and at the beginning of the second Semester. The Mass with the blessing and distribution of ashes took place in the evening. Earlier in the day the Personale had come to receive their ashes.

The annual retreats this year all took place at the Divine Word Retreat Centre in Nemi. Third and Fourth Year did their Canonical pre-ordination retreats. In previous years, First and Second Years have remained in College for a preached retreat but this year, for the first time, they came to Nemi for an individually guided retreat.

The final exams of the first half of the year bring the semester to an end today. A short break when students will rest, visit friends and family and travel for a few days holiday, will be followed by the annual retreats which begin the second semester. We wish everyone a good rest and renewed energy for the next stage of their formation journey.

On Sunday 26 January a group from the Beda went to Domus Australia to celebrate Australia Day. Sydney Archbishop, Anthony Fisher OP presided at the Mass and the occasion was attended by a large contingent of Australians currently living in Rome. Beda students particularly involved were Damien Locke as MC, Alex Chow as organist and Ignatius Tan as thurifer. Sister Carmel FMDM, who spent many years in Australia, was one of the readers.

To mark the feast of Our Lady, Queen of Prophets, the Beda presented to the convent of Mater Dei a copy of their famous icon, based on the frescos in the Catacombe of Santa Priscilla. It was specially prepared for them by Beda student Matthew Bond and presented by the Rector. Links between Mater Dei Convent and the Catholic Church in England go back a long way. An article with the full story is on the history page..

Staff and students enjoyed the opportunity to attend an Ecumenical Service of Vespers in St Paul's Basilica yesterday, presided over by Pope Francis. The theme of "Unusual kindness", chosen for this year by Malta, was continued in the Vespers and in the Pope's address. This annual Service, when the Pope greets personally the leaders of many different Christian Denominations, brings the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to an end.

"They showed us unusual kindness" (Acts 28:2) was the theme chosen by Malta for this year's Unity Week Services. At the Beda, a larger than usual gathering of ministers and representatives from the Christian Churches in Rome celebrated this, inspired by the Homily given by the Methodist Minister in Rome, Dr Daniel Pratt Morris-Chapman. The "Unusual Kindness" extended to traditional Beda hospitality which was enjoyed by all.

As part of their course on Early Church History, a gita to the Scavi under St Peter's was organised for Tuesday 14th January by their professor, Mgr Ciaran O'Carroll. Unfortunately Mgr O'Carroll couldn't join them on the day but they all enjoyed their 'educational' visit.

With the end of the Christmas season, the college has already been back at work for a week, enjoying clear blue skies every day, and beginning to look towards the end of semester exams early in February. At this time, the Rector's message for the New Year expresses our wishes for the whole Beda family: Buon Proseguimento - a good continuation of your year.

The traditional Beda Advent Service, beginning in the common room, processing to the chapel and then finally to the dining room took place yesterday evening. The meal was a fitting climax to conclude the work done since September. Today most students have been heading home to begin their Christmas break. We wish everyone all the peace and blessings of this season.

After lunch today, the last full day before the Christmas break, gifts from students and staff were given to each member of the personale who do so much good work for us over the year. The cheering and clapping for each of these wonderful people was a fitting testment to how much they are valued and appreciated for all they do for us.

The First Year Christmas Concert last night truly brought the Christmas Spirit to the Beda community. Laughter and joy, mince pies and Christmas cakes were the hallmarks of a lovely evening. Our thanks and congratulations to the First Year students for a wonderful show and a most enjoyable evening. Click the picture for the photo album.

Eight students from 3rd Year were admitted into Candidacy at our Advent Mass yesterday evening. Friends of the students and of the college joined in the celebration and in the special meal after Mass. Congratulations and best wishes to the new Candidates and thanks to all who helped it be such a memorable evening. Ad Multos Annos.

We heard today of the death in hospital in Dublin earlier this week of Fr Jim Downey OSA who taught Scripture to many generations of Beda students. An article he wrote for the Beda Review in 2018 can be found by clicking the photo above. His funeral Mass takes place in Cork tomorrow morning at 11.00. May he rest in peace.

About 50 priests from England and Wales who are celebrating their ruby, golden and diamond jubilees this year came to the college today and enjoyed traditional Beda hospitality. They brought with them the joy of their years as priests and shared their stories with students and staff. Click the picture for more photos.

The annual Academic Mass took place today and Vice Chancellor of St Mary's University Francis Campbell publicly congraulated those who had obtained degrees during the past academic year. The Mass was followed by a celebration meal to give thanks for all the academic achievements over the past twelve months.

It was the turn of the Beda on 10th November to lead the Remembrance Day Mass in San Silvestro for the UK community in Rome. Fr John Breen was the main celebrant and preacher, servers and sacristans were on duty, and our schola provided the music.

The latest issue of the Beda Review was toasted with a glass of Prosecco in the garden before lunch today. The Rector introduced it and welcomed the new editor Markus Ohlsson and deputy Mike Smith who have started preparing next year's Review.

To conclude their induction, the first year had a day out at two Franciscan Sanctuaries in the Rieti Valley, Fonte Colombo and Greccio. A lovely meal in the Nido del Corvo (Crow's Nest) Restaurant, and some minor repairs to the coach, completed the day.