Deacon Ed blessed the Advent wreath and lit the first candle at Evening Prayer on Saturday. As the days to Christmas shorten, the light will grow stronger week by week, on our wreath and in our hearts. Each day we will sing the Alma Redemptoris Mater before the icon of Mary (to the right).
On a sunny but cool afternoon a group from the college went to the Campo Verano Cemetery to visit the Beda grave where prayers were said for deceased staff and students. A fitting end to our month of remebrance.
Forty five priests from England and Wales, celebrating their 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of ordination (and one celebrating 65 years as a priest) visited the the college today and enjoyed a celebration lunch with us. As in previous years, the fidelity and perseverance of their priestly service was an inspiration to our students and our whole college rejoiced to have them with us. Ad Multos Annos was sung with great enthusiasm by all.
Staff, students and visitors took the opportunity to attend the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St Peter's Square for the ending of the Holy Year of Mercy. A beautiful sunny morning after the thunderstorms of the night before created a perfect setting to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, Lord of the universe.
The Diaconate Ordination of 4th Year Rosminian student, Wilhad Shayo, took place this evening at Porta Latina. At the same time, 1st Year student, Ludovico Torrisi, took his simple vows as a Benedictine at St Paul's Basilica. We wish them both Ad Multos Annos.
It was the turn of the Beda College to lead the traditional Remembrance Day Mass at San Silvestro for the UK contingent living in Rome. The English and Scots Colleges also take part in this and the preacher this year was Canon Gillespie. See photos and the YouTube recording of the homily on our Media page.
The bishop of Leeds, Marcus Stock, and seven priests from Leeds diocese called in for lunch on their way to Mass in St Paul's at the beginning of their Palazzola retreat.
A meeting took place of all the Beda internal and external professors. Present also was the Vice Chancellor of St Mary's University. At Mass, the Vice Chancellor congratulated all the students who had graduated last summer.