In a dusty corner of the Beda attic, some old black and white photos from March 1959 were found recently during a clear-out. They show the early stages of the construction work on the present Beda building. The five photos can be viewed on the History tab of this website. They are dated on the back as March 1959 but the identity of the prelate signing a document in one photo is unknown. Any information would be gratefully received.
At the annual Academic Mass today, Vice Chancellor of St Mary's University, Francis Campbell, praised the acheivements of Beda students in the past year and personally congratulated each successul graduate. He also spoke of the valued links between St Mary's and the Beda and thanked the college for the contribution it makes to the life of the University. Congratulations to the Fourth year students who recieved a Batchelor of Theology degree, and to last year's Fourth Year who achieved their Graduate Diploma.
The final event of the First Year induction was a trip yesterday to two important monasteries in Subiaco. Guided tours were provided in Sacro Speco where St Benedict lived for three years in a cave and in the neighbouring monastery of St Scholastica. One special moment for us was to see a relic of a bone of St Bede which is in St Scholastica monastery. The heavy downpour of rain for most of the day didn't detract from these very interesting and enjoyable visits.
To mark 120 years of being called the 'Beda', and on the anniversary of the of the opening of the present building by Pope St John XXIII in 1960, Professor Karen Kilby gave a lecture to staff, students and invited guests on "St Bede and St Romero, Stories of Vocation". Professor Kilby holds the Bede Chair of Catholic Theology at Durham University and her inspiring talk explored the joys and sufferings of vocation through the contrasting lives of Bede and Romero. Click the title above to link to an audio recording of the lecture.
Beda staff and students attended the Papal Mass in St Peter's Square this morning when seven new saints were canonised including St Paul VI and St Oscar Romero. On a bright sunny morning we took advantage of our residence in Rome to join thousands of pilgrims from all over the world who had come specially to celebrate and honour these models of Christian life. The memory of this truly special event will inspire us, and everyone who took part, long into the future.
Over the summer, the college library has undergone a major refurbishment, payed for by a very generous legacy (legacies to the Beda are ALWAYS welcome!). This has been a major work involving strengthening the floor, installing air conditioning and refitting new shelves and furnishings. The reading room has been incorporated into the open plan library. The finishing touches are now complete and the library is in use. See photos of the work in progress on the Flickr page.
The launch of the Beda Review 2017-1018 took place before lunch today. The Rector commended editor Mike Brooks and assistant editor Alan Hodgson for an excellent production and copies were made available to students and staff. The launch followed the opening Mass of the new year celebrated by the Rector. The Review is now available on the Beda Life page.
As we prepare for the launch of the latest Beda Review on Sunday, and as the academic programme begins on Monday, we publish an article by Fr Jim Downey OSA who taught Scripture for many years at the Beda before retiring a year ago. This humorous and perceptive article will be of special interest to those who were taught by Fr Downey. Click the title above to go to the Beda Review page.
A very successful time of induction for the new students ended today with a slight variation. Usually the induction concludes with attendance at the Wednesday Papal Audience. This year however, the Mass for the opening of the Synod replaced the audience so our students got their first taste of a papal Mass in St Peter's Square. Most students have now returned to college. At the weekend there is a time of Recollection for the whole house and lectures begin on Monday. Photographs of the induction can be found by clicking the title above and following the link.
The UK bishops enjoyed the hospitality of the Beda this week during their Ad Limina visits. On Friday evening, 28th September, we entertained about 40 bishops from England and Wales for a relaxed evening meal, following their busy week of meetings with the Dicasteries in the Vatican. This morning, 1st October, the bishops of Scotland came for breakfast after their Mass in St Paul's Basilica. Both Bishops' Conferences leave the Beda with grateful memories and with a promise of our prayers.
After a 6.30 a.m. start the new students joined other members of the Beda community for Mass in the Crypt at St Peter's. This year we were in the Lithuanian chapel with its wonderful icon of Mary, Mother of Mercy. Beneath this icon we celebrated the Mass of the memorial of Our Lady of Walsingham and asked for Mary's intercession on the life-changing journey that is beginning.
The induction programme for the new Beda students began today with Mass in St Benedict's Chapel in St Paul's Basilica celebrated by the Rector. Later today, on a bright sunny afternoon, a walk round some of the sights of Rome is planned to pave the way for their discovery of the ancient and modern city over their four years here. We wish them well as they begin to come to know the ways of the Beda and of the city of Rome.
Ten new people are arriving this week to begin the new Beda year. There are eight new students in first year, one post graduate priest who will be studying at the Angelicum, and one Anglican exchange student. This evening there is a welcome supper for the new men and tomorrow their induction programme begins with a Mass at the Basilica di San Paolo and a visit to the tomb of St Paul.
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!