The congregation at the Lenten Station Mass at the Basilica of St Paul's this morning were as usual invited to the Beda for breakfast. The hospitality offered at the Beda after the early start was enjoyed by seminarians, priests and lay students from all over Rome. Canon Gillespie preached at the 7.00am Mass which was presided over by Cardinal Harvey. The Beda choir and servers assisted at the Mass.

The traditional mid-Lent celebration, Lenten Oasis, when the Beda hosts another college in Rome, took place today. Our visitors this year were the staff, students, and sisters from the Pontifical Scots College. They joined us for Mass followed by the customary celebration meal. A convivial and very enjoyable occasion to see us through the rigours of the remaining weeks of Lent.

Heavy snowfalls overnight greeted us this morning and provided a wonderful opportunity for some unusual pictures (see slides above). Schools in Rome have closed, public transport is struggling and some of our external lecturers, students and personale have been unable to come in. Certainly a strange but spectacular start to the new week.

Mgr Paul Swarbrick, whose appointment as the new bishop of Lancaster was announced last week, was welcomed for lunch at the Beda today. During a flying visit to Rome, he was invited to conclude a busy morning visiting the tombs of Peter and Paul with a relaxed 'Fast Day' lunch at the college. Bishop-elect Paul's episcopal ordination will take place in Lancaster on 9th April when he will become the 7th bishop of the Diocese. We send our best wishes and prayers for his future.

The exams at the end of the first semester finished today and the break between the two semesters begins. Many students are heading away for a few days' well-earned break, either at home in the UK or in other parts of Italy or even, for six students, with a trip to Krakov in Poland. The college re-assembles on Sunday 11th and the annual retreats begin on Monday 12th.

Richard Masanja, one of our external Rosminian students, will be ordained deacon this evening at Porta Latina. Richard, from Tanzania, is in his fourth year at the Beda. He made his Final Vows as a Rosminian in December and today, along with two others, he will be ordained by Archbishop Fisichella. Congratulations, best wishes and prayers for him today and into the future. Ad Multos Annos.

The final lectures of the first Semester took place today and oral exams begin in earnest next week. Most Year groups have an exam each day so an air of quiet and concentration, mixed with a few nerves, and prayers for guidance, pervades the college at this time. Best wishes to all in this important week.

A symbolic exchange of links of a chain formed the central action of the Beda Unity Service last night. It was attended by many representatives of the different Christian denominations present in Rome and an inspiring address was given by Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi. Photographs of the Service and the celebrations afterwards are available by clicking the title above.

The annual Service for the week of prayer for Christian unity takes place this evening in the Beda college chapel. Guests from many Christian denominations will be present and the address this year is to be given by Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative and the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. The Service will be followed by the customary celebration meal.

Tish Nicoll is visiting the Beda this week for work with individual students on their speaking and singing. Each student works individually with Tish to improve their public speaking and, in some cases, their singing. Tish's presence is always welcome, and the improvements of clarity and projection in the weeks following her visits are always noticeable. Many thanks to her for the time and care she takes with each and every one of us.

The first visits from Diocesan Vocations Directors took place two days after we returned from the Christmas break. Bishop John Sherrington and Fr John O'Leary from Westminster and Fr Gerard Flynn from Portsmouth Diocese came for lunch on Tuesday and took time to see their students. We thank them for their visits and look forward to visits from other Vocations Directors in the coming year.

Students and staff returned to College yesterday and lectures began today after the Christmas and New Year break. In his New Year greeting, the Rector pointed out that 2018 will mark 120 years since the Beda was given its name. The Collect of this morning's Mass from the first week of Ordinary Time gave a theme for everyone for 2018, "...that they may see what must be done, and gain strength to do what they have seen."

An extended Advent Evening Prayer on Sunday evening, beginning in the student common room, moving to the Chapel for Exposition and concluding in the Refectory marked the end of the current term. A celebration buffet meal followed the time of prayer. Pictures are on our Flickr page. The house re-assembles on Sunday 7th January. A very happy and blessed Christmastide to everyone.

Thirteen students were admitted to Candidacy yesterday evening during a Mass in the college chapel. There were 3 students from East Anglia, 2 from St Andrews and Edinburgh, one each from Argyll and the Isles, Hobart, Maitland-Newcastle, Salford, Kigoma, Melaka-Johor, and 2 Religious, a Camaldolese Benedictine and the Order of the Holy Cross. Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Culture was the presiding Bishop and the Mass was followed by a magnificent celebration meal. Ad Multos Annos.

Advent at the Beda begins this evening with the blessing of the Advent wreath and the lighting of the first candle. The time of prayer and recollection this weekend will be led by Fr Tom Norris, Spiritual Director of the Irish College in Rome.

Thirty-two Jubilarians from the dioceses of England and Wales visited the college today and shared lunch with us. Ordained forty (Ruby), fifty (Golden )and sixty (diamond) years, the priests are staying this week at Palazzola at the invitation of the English College. Over lunch they shared their stories and experiences of priesthood with the students. As always, it was an uplifting and joyous occasion for everyone. Ad multos annos.

The annual Remembrance Mass for all decesased relatives and friends of past and present students and staff takes place today. The College Remembrance Book has occupied a place of honour in chapel throughout November and tonight we pray especially for all those written in the Book. Requiescant in pace.

Today marks 165 years since the Collegio Ecclesiatico was founded by Pope Pius IX in 1852. This college was the beginning of what is now the Beda College and today is the anniversary of our foundation. We pray today for past and present students and staff from those 165 years.

After a short mid-term break following the Remebrance Day Mass, lectures resumed on Friday. During the break many students had taken the opportunity to see more of Italy, traveling to Florence, Padua and Venice, among other places. This weekend First Year are at Palazzola completing their induction, and preparing for the next stage of their journey.

Today we joined the English and Scots Colleges for our annual Remembrance Day Mass at San Silvestro. The Mass this year was led by the Scots College. Throughout November we remember to pray especially for those in our Book of Remembrance, the friends and families of students and staff past and present who have died.