Eleven Beda students were ordained deacon today in St Paul's Basilica by Bishop Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia. The moving ordination Mass was followed by a celebration buffet for 300 staff, students, and family and friends of those ordained. The ordination marks the end of the Beda year and students will return to their dioceses for pastoral placements in the next few days.
The Rector's Gita yesterday was to Montefiascone, a small town overlooking Lake Bolsena north of Viterbo. Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated in the Basilica di San Flaviano, a Romanesque Church built about 1000 on the ancient pilgrim route the Via Francigena. After a walk to the cathedral and other sites in the town, a lovely meal was enjoyed just below the Rocca di Papa - a thunderstorm timed perfectly for during the meal. Many thanks to all for a very successful and enjoyable Gita.
The Programme Examination Board of St Mary's Universaity met at the Beda tonight and, after due consideration, approved the marks awarded to students in the current academic year. Dr Tarcisius Mukuka, Moderator from St Mary's, chaired the meeting and Dr Clare Watkins, external Examiner, was also present. After the meeting, staff, students, personale and their families and other guests enjoyed an evening barbecue in the garden.
At the end of the week of exams, the college gathered for a special lunch to say farewell to the students who will be finishing this summer. Twelve resident and two external students are returning to their dioceses for ordination in the near or more distant future. We wish them well as they return home and send our prayers with them for their future ministry in the Church.
Some photographs of the Beda in 2006 were found on a CD Rom recently. Showing Bede's Day, leavers' lunch, Diaconate Ordinations and the Acadmic Mass of that year, they are an interesting record from an earlier time than any photographs we already have. There are some familiar (although younger looking) faces, and many others who would be known by few in the college today. The 200 photographs can be viewed under the collection 2006 on the College Flickr account.
A new icon of St Bede has been unveiled on Bede's feastday today. Specially commissioned from iconographer Aidan Hart, the new icon of Bede shows him writing the college motto. It will hold an honoured place in the chapel. As we celebrate Bede's feast today, we send greetings and best wishes to all former students of the college and all our friends and benefactors.
Fourteen former Beda students celebrate their 50 years as priests this year. The list emerged following the meeting of the Beda Association which took place in Wistaston Hall this week. All ordained in 1968 they come from as far afield as British Honduras, Los Angeles and Montreal, as well as from more familiar dioceses. The full list is published on the Beda Association page of the Beda Website. Ad Multos Annos - indeed!
Staff and students of the Beda were invited to the Irish College yesterday evening for Mass and a meal together. The staff and seminarians at the Irish College, together with their resident post graduate and American staff and students, welcomed us warmly with traditional Irish hospitality. A lovely evening was enjoyed by all and our thanks go to everyone at the Irish College for their friendship and welcome.
The sad news reached us yesterday of the death of Abbot Timothy Wright OSB, aged 76. Abbot Timothy was full time Spiritual Director at the Beda for seven years up to 2013. Although his health had not been good recently, his death was not expected. Abbot Timothy is remembered with great affection by the staff who worked with him here and by the many students who he guided and supported during their time in the College. His Requiem took place at Ampleforth Abbey on 30th May. May he Rest in Peace.
Eight First Year students received the Ministry of Lector yesterday evening during the Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Ascension. The Rector presided over a prayerful celebration which was followed by the customary festive meal. Congratulations to the new Lectors and prayers for them as they continue to deepen their love for the Word of God in the Scriptures. Ad Multos Annos.
The strong Australian contingent at the Beda took part yesterday in the Anzac Day Commemorations in Rome. In the morning, the Rector represented the College at the Anzac Service at the Commonwealth Rome War Cemetery in Testaccio and later in the day our Australian students attended a Mass and reception at Domus Australia. Our prayers and best wishes go to the Australian community as they remember those who died in the two world wars.
A group of priests ordained less than ten years from Liverpool, came to lunch today with their Archbishop, Malcolm McMahon. The group go on pilgrimage with the Archbishop every year as part of their on-going formation and this week they are visting Rome. After Tre Fontane this morning, they relaxed with us over lunch before moving on to St Paul's Basilica. It was great to see so many happy and fulfilled priests enjoying the time with their Archbishop and enjoying Beda hospitality.
Seven external professors joined Formation Staff yesterday for the annual Plenary Staff Meeting. The report from the Moderator from St Mary's University was discussed and information was shared on refurbishing the library, the college website and the Beda's vocation promotion initiatives. The meeting was also the opportunity for useful discussion on various items of common academic interest.
All staff and students of the Beda were invited to the English College last night for Mass and a celebration meal. The English College is celebrating several significant anniversaires this year and one which is particularly important for us is that it is a hundred years (1918) since the Beda moved out from sharing premises with the English College. Thank you to all at the English College for their welcome and hospitality on this very enjoyable evening.
Twenty seven people who are on a pilgrimage to Rome organised by The Tablet were welcomed for lunch at the Beda today. The chaplain and leader of the group was former rector, Mgr Rod Strange. After a lovely lunch with the Beda community and coffee in the garden, the group departed for Tre Fontane on the way to the airport for their return.
The ‘closeness’ of God, Pope Francis’ theme at the Chrism Mass this year, has resonated through all our Holy Week liturgies at the Beda. The prayerful atmosphere during the week has brought home to us in a new way God’s closeness in all things, our sorrows and our joys. Thanks to all our friends and supporters at this joyful season. Buona Pasqua!.
About nineteen members of the Beda community set out on Wednesday morning to walk the traditional seven churches of Rome. Most made it all the way, saying the prayers of two of the Stations of the Cross at each Church. The walk is over 21kms and there were some tired feet by the end of the day. Well done to those who set out, and to those who completed some or all of the walk.
After days of unseasonally cold winds, the blessing of palms and procession from the garden took place today in warm Spring sunshine. Fr John Breen celebrated the Palm Sunday Mass and Deacon Anthony Kelly narrated the Passion, with a little help from Sisters and students reading the minor parts. Earlier Fr Peter Verity had led the house in a time of Recollection for the beginning of Holy Week.
Sr Carmel FMDM, on this St Patrick's Day, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession. She renewed her vows during morning Mass and we gave thanks for her 60 years of service to Christ and to the Church. A joyful and wonderful occasion for the whole college. Ad multos annos.
At Mass yesterday evening, our two second year students, Norm Allred and Adrian Lowe, received the Ministry of Acolyte. The presiding bishop was Bishop Mark O'Toole who is visitng the college this week along with Archbishop Bernard Longley in the annual bishops' visitation to the college. Congraulations, best wishes and prayers to Norm and Adrian on this important step on their vocational journey. Ad Multos Annos.