Thirty-two Jubilarians from the dioceses of England and Wales visited the college today and shared lunch with us. Ordained forty (Ruby), fifty (Golden )and sixty (diamond) years, the priests are staying this week at Palazzola at the invitation of the English College. Over lunch they shared their stories and experiences of priesthood with the students. As always, it was an uplifting and joyous occasion for everyone. Ad multos annos.

The annual Remembrance Mass for all decesased relatives and friends of past and present students and staff takes place today. The College Remembrance Book has occupied a place of honour in chapel throughout November and tonight we pray especially for all those written in the Book. Requiescant in pace.

Today marks 165 years since the Collegio Ecclesiatico was founded by Pope Pius IX in 1852. This college was the beginning of what is now the Beda College and today is the anniversary of our foundation. We pray today for past and present students and staff from those 165 years.

After a short mid-term break following the Remebrance Day Mass, lectures resumed on Friday. During the break many students had taken the opportunity to see more of Italy, traveling to Florence, Padua and Venice, among other places. This weekend First Year are at Palazzola completing their induction, and preparing for the next stage of their journey.

Today we joined the English and Scots Colleges for our annual Remembrance Day Mass at San Silvestro. The Mass this year was led by the Scots College. Throughout November we remember to pray especially for those in our Book of Remembrance, the friends and families of students and staff past and present who have died.

Thirty Vocations Directors and Vocations Promoters from the Dioceses of England and Wales visited the Beda today for lunch. In the afternoon they had a meeting with staff and concluded their visit with Mass. They are attending their annual Conference this week at Palazzola. We wish them well in their discussions and hope they enjoyed the hospitality of the Beda and the time they spent with us. (Click the title for a link to the photos).

The Annual Academic Meeting and Mass took place today. Professor John Charmley from St Mary’s University was present to represent the University and at the end of Mass personally congratulated the 14 students awarded degrees in 2017. He also offered congratulations ‘in absentia’ to the seven students awarded Graduate Diplomas. (Click the title above to go to the photo link)

The annual Gita to complete the first year induction took place today to two Franciscan places of pilgrimage in the Rieti Valley. Fonte Colombo where we celebrated Mass is where St Francis completed the Rule for his Brothers. From there we travelled a few miles up the valley to Greccio where Francis introduced the Christmas nativity tableau.