A group of priests ordained less than ten years from Liverpool, came to lunch today with their Archbishop, Malcolm McMahon. The gtroup 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.
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.