This year, Fourth Year went to Rocca di Papa for their weekend away. This took place in a retreat house which the Beda hasn't used for several years. Our previous visit was for a retreat in February and at nearler 700 metres above sea level it is a cold place in February. But in May it was a different story and everyone enjoyed the visit, the retreat house and the environment. Click to see photos of the visit.

Holy Week at the Beda was successfully concluded last night at a prayerful Easter Vigil. The ceremonies of the Triduum were able to take place this year for the first time in three years. Over a glass of Prosecco and some Easter chocolate, the Rector congratulated and thanked everyone for all that had been done over the past few weeks in so many areas of college life. As we begin the Easter break, we wish all our relations, friends and supporters a very happy and blessed Easter. Click here for all the photos.

After two years of curtailed Holy Week ceremonies, it was good to begin this year with the blessing of palms and procession from the garden to chapel for the Palm Sunday Mass. Although the sun shone brightly, a strong northerly breeze kept the temperatures down. Earlier in the weekend Fr Peter had led a few hours of Recollection for the community to prepare in a prayerful way for the week. Click here for photos of the blessing of palms and the procession from the garden to the chapel.

As is traditional, the Beda played a major role in the Station Mass in St Paul's at 7.00am on the Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent. This year, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster was the principle celebrant and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool preached - both are staying in the College this week. The Beda provided refreshments afterwards in the Monastery cafeteria - the college refectory being too small to accommodate large numbers in these Covid times.

A Mass to give thanks for 40 years of full diplomatic relations between the UK Government and the Holy See was celebrated this morning in St Paul's Basilica by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin. The Mass was served by Beda students and the college choir joined the monks of San Paolo to provide the choir. A reception for all present was held afterwards in the monastery cloisters. Many thanks to all for being a real credit to the Beda at this important diplomatic event.

The tradition of inviting the other colleges to the Beda for mid-Lent Sunday, had to be suspended for two years due to Covid restrictions. As the restrictions decrease this year, we started up again by inviting the Scots and Irish Colleges to share a 'Lent Oasis' meal with us. After two years of restrictions, it was great to get together again to share our common concerns and friendship. Thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful occasion.

A discernment weekend for men between the ages of 30 and 55 will take place 2 to 4 September 2022. Organised by the Beda and held at St Beuno’s in north Wales, the weekend is to encourage men who may feel a calling to priestly vocation later in life to take the next step of their journey. All friends of the Beda are kindly asked to promote this to anyone who may be interested and through parish newsletters and notices. Further details by clicking here.

Fr Louis Rieunier from Plymouth Diocese has been appointed as spiritual director at the Beda from the summer. He replaces Fr Peter who is returning to active retirement in his diocese of Lancaster after eleven years at the Beda. The announcement was made in Plymouth Diocese this morning. Fr Louis said: "I am happily looking forward to returning to the Beda, where I undertook my own formation to the priesthood, and taking-up my new appointment." We keep Louis in our prayers as he makes his preparation.

After the February break, the Second Semester began with the annual retreats. This year Third and Fourth Years went to Bagnoregio from 14th to 22nd February for their pre-Ordination Canonical Retreat which was given by Mgr Pat Kilgarriff. First and Second Years went to the Divine Word Centre in Nemi from 14th to 20th February for a preached retreat given this year by Fr David Glenday MCCJ (Comboni Missionary).

In 2019, Pope Francis directed that the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time every year should be a day of “Celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God". He asked that all communities should mark this Sunday with solemnity and that Word of God be 'enthroned'. In the Beda we ‘enthroned’ the Bible in front of the altar throughout the day and reflected on how we value and pray with the Scriptures. Pope Francis' Motu Proprio, Aperuit Illis, is available on the Vatican website.

The eleven students in Third Year were admitted as Candidates yesterday evening at a Mass presided over by Cardinal Piat, Archbishop of Port Louis in Mauritius. A lovely celebration meal followed the Mass. Grateful thanks to Cardinal Piat for his presence with us. and to all the students and personale who helped make this a special occasion. Congratulations also to the eleven students at this important point on their vocational journey. Click here for photos.

Our Advent prayer began at first Vespers yesterday (Saturday) with the blessing of the Advent wreath and the lighting of the first Advent candle. Over the weekend we have been led in a prayerful time of recollection by Fr Jim Walls, spiritual director at the Scots College. His talks guided us towards the formation of a priestly heart and to the movement in priesthood from hero to servant to mystic. A wonderful start to set us on our Advent journey.

About 30 Jubilarians from the Dioceses of England and Wales came for lunch at the Beda today. Ordained, 40, 50 and 60 years they are celebrating their anniversaries this year. Last year the visit was not possible because of Covid but it was good to welcome the group again today for a wonderful meal and memorable conversations. Ad Multos Annos and grateful thanks for their many years of service to all of them. Click here for a few photos.

On Saturday 20th November, a team of students from the Beda College took part in the annual Ragheed Ganni five-a-side football competition hosted as always by the Pontifical Irish College for teams from colleges in Rome. In spite of disappointing results, a good time was had by all, before, during and after the competition, including a traditional Irish stew provided by the college, and a reviving gelato on the way home. For photos (click here).

Following a Plenary Staff Meeting attended by external professors, the academic achievements of our students in the past year were acknowledged and celebrated during Sunday Mass. Five students, now deacons, who received Bachelor of Theology degrees were congratulated in person. The eight students ordained in the summer were also congratulated by name for achieving the Theological Diploma.

On a beautiful sunny autumn day twenty nine members of the college, staff and students, travelled to the Benedictine Monasteries of Sacro Speco and St Scholastica in Subiaco. An excellent guided tour in both monasteries described the history, art work, significance and spirituality of the place we were in. An informative and enjoyable day was had by all. Click here to see all the photos.

Sixty one years ago today Pope John XXIII came to the Beda to open the new college building. The present community celebrated Mass for the anniversary this morning and later today there will be a reception for invited friends and guests with a buffet supper. We remember especially on this day the students and staff who have passed through the college during that 61 years.

After a prayerful time of Recollection given by Fr John Carlyle at the weekend for the whole house, lectures began this morning. In spite of the rain and a Rome transport strike all was in place for a prompt 9.00am start to the semester. Sensible precautions to protect against Covid are in place but thankfully all classes are 'live' in classrooms. Please keep us all in your prayers as we embark on this year's work.

The new students, together with many returning students, attended the Wednesday Audience of the Holy Father in the Paul VI Audience Hall. Tickets had been obtained for good seats near the front and the Pope came close to our group as he walked about after his address. The college now prepares for University registration and the time of recollection for the opening of year over this weekend.

There have been many opportunities this week to discover Rome and to travel to local places. A walk round central Rome on Wednesday; a day trip to Grottaferrata, Castel Gandolfo and Nemi on Friday; the Catacombs of San Callisto and the Ardeatine caves on Saturday; and Mass in Santa Maria in Trastevere on Sunday. Over 60 photographs of these events can be accessed by clicking the title above.